Therapeutic Interaction Analysis

My emerging theory employed aspects of therapy from the humanism, existentialism, dialectical behavior, and when necessary exposure therapy. These theories have represented me as a person. As I have presented them here, they through the lens of each other, they work to form one integrative approach. As Rogerian humanism has laid the foundation for ways of being, this theory also incorporated Dr. Marsha Linehan’s structure of dialectical behavioral therapy’s and goals expressed by Yalom in existentialism with specific practices in Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy. I intend to present specific elements theory that I have used as well as their limitations, and present them working together.

There are a multitude of reasons why an individual may need or want therapy; whether it’s due to learning how to cope with a mental disorder or disability, life happenings such as traumas or abuse, addictions, or even PTSD. Anybody can receive it – individual persons, families, or groups. It isn’t hard to argue that most therapists and psychologists will agree that the therapeutic alliance is one of the most beneficial foundations of a therapy session. Also referred to as the working alliance or working relationship, it represents the bond between therapist and

The foundation of therapy starts by building rapport with the client and applying strategies when necessary to overcome a variety of barriers. It is imperative to have rapport with a client and to be aware of barriers to facilitate a good treatment outcome. This will take practice and the use of methods and strategies ready to be implemented when needed. There are many components to building a good client rapport such as: intimacy, vulnerability, exploration of inner challenges, self-awareness, staying present; inner resiliency, empathy, anxiety management, and self-integration, and relationship acceptance. The two types of barriers are internal and external and this is for both the client and the therapist. The common barriers to rapport are countertransference and transference. Strategies for overcoming barriers are: Pause Moment and self-awareness. It also requires skills such as being genuine, sensitive, open, and

Research has shown that a strong therapeutic alliance is necessary for establishing a beneficial contact between the therapist and the client. If the therapist does not encourage the creation of a reliable therapeutic alliance from the beginning of the treatment, it will be hard to develop a constructive relationship with the client later. Establishing the therapeutic alliance will increase the chances of achieving the goal of the treatment because the clients will be willing to cooperate if they trust and respect the therapist. Clients are not likely to cooperate with therapists who impose their authority aggressively. Instead of imposing their authority on the patient, therapists should develop work with their patients by

Existential therapists view themselves as companions; not someone who is going teach and lead the individual to change because they view therapy as a journey client and therapist go through together. Each learning from one another and each having the same room and opportunity for growth. Van Deurzen explains “these practitioners prefer description, understanding, and exploration of the client’s subjective reality, as opposed to diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis” (as cited in Cory, 2013, p. 157). Meaning therapy is one example of an existential technique that incorporates evidence-based practices. Meaning therapy equips therapists with principles that help them empower clients to face their personal struggles, seek meaning in their life, and the tools to overcome those blocks preventing them from true happiness (Wong, 2010, p. 92). Even though therapists may borrow techniques from other models it is not a technique-oriented approach which is the complete opposite of CBT; “this is an active, directive, time-limited, present-centered, psychoeducational, structured therapy” (Cory, 2013, p. 485).

The key to dealing with our client Ben who has a psychosis condition is to establish a therapeutic relationship. This includes active listening, learning and act on the information has been communicated with Ben about what is important to him. Active listening involves asking appropriate questions, pay attention, paraphrasing, offer appropriate response to his emotions and showing interest in what he is saying.

Existential therapy through the eyes of Dr. Yalom is very fascinating. There is never a fixed life that each person is supposed to live. In his therapy the clients are allowed to find out for themselves what it is they need by receiving adequate questioning from Dr. Yalom. His questioning guides them down the existential path to freedom and responsibility.

Theories within psychotherapy guide interactions between the therapist and client, providing a process by which the client can come to understand and resolve their problems. However, these theories can often be conflicting with opposing techniques and goals. Existential therapy is best considered as a philosophical approach to the therapeutic process, which gives prominences to the themes of freedom, self-determination, self-awareness and anxiety (Yalom & Josselson, 2011, p. 310). It emphasises the individual’s capacity to make free choices regarding the person they become, and focuses less on the use of techniques. In contrast, Freudian psychoanalytic therapy considers ways to change problematic behaviours or thoughts by examining their concealed unconscious motivations and meanings (Corey, 2013, p. 63). Past experiences are significant in determining the distinctive behaviour of the individual, which is analysed by the therapist through techniques such as dream analysis and free association. Whilst both theories view the individual and their difficulties as unique, existential and psychoanalytic therapy have opposing views of human nature and therapeutic goals.

During this interaction I displayed areas of both strengths and weaknesses. My major strength in this conversation is that I did not use any nontherapeutic questions or statements. Although I could have said different things at certain points, I do not believe I said anything to block communication. My major weakness in this interaction is that I did not initiate conversation to formulate a plan of action. I also need to work on using periods of silence. This was not something that I was very comfortable with and I need to work on. Overall, I feel that this interaction went well and I felt at ease while speaking with this patient.

I have chosen to use Existential theory when analyzing Antonio’s case for several reasons. Existential theory is focused on the positive aspects of the human condition and does not dictate a specific way of viewing reality (van Deurzen, 2002a). As such it is more useful than traditional approaches when working with clients from multicultural backgrounds.

It assumes that the client growth occurs through a genuine encounter. The therapist's techniques do not make a therapeutic relationship; it is the quality of the client-therapist relationship that heals the client. Therapists must reach a sufficient depth and openness in their lives to allow them venture into the client's world without losing their own sense of identity. Presence is both a condition and a goal for therapy. Because this approach of therapy focuses on the basic conditions of being a human, practitioners are not be specific techniques. Therapy interventions are guided by a philosophical framework about what it means to be

Existential therapies are typically defined as psychological therapy interventions that are informed by existential philosophers.

The consequences of this so-called freedom are widespread throughout the world, and not all the choices are positive. Making choices can feel isolating and lead to guilt if the “right” path is not chosen, with all choices leading to a certain death. This is where existential therapy comes in. This therapy approach focuses on freedom, self-creation, choice and overall, progress while recognizing that the human situation is where one feels powerfulness, isolated, doomed, and anxiety-ridden. The goal of therapy is to give the client an opportunity to face all their angst and for the therapist to respond with courage (Rayner & Vitali, 2014). The emphasis in existentialism is action: what will one do, who will one be, and how will one act given their situation (McDonald, 2012). These main ideas of the existential approach are different than the postmodern approach.

Existentialist ideas are brought into the therapeutic process as hermeneutics; the methods of interpretation of personal meanings which enable the therapist to better understand the client’s issues in living.R By working through a multiple of universal aspects of what it is to be human a client is helped to seek new ways of living.

The basic view of existential therapy is that we are not victims of circumstance we have the ability to shape and mold our own lives. Since we are free to make our own choices in our life we are therefore responsible for our choices and actions. Existential approach examines a variety of themes in an individual’s life. There are six identified themes that are examined and how they relate to a client’s current issue. The six themes are “morality, meaning, freedom, responsibility, anxiety, and aloneness”. Examining these different areas can allow the Client to reflect and determine their alternatives and then decide from there what they would like to do. From this ability to choose often cause the Client to develop existential anxiety which is normal for a client to experience. As humans we are constantly questioning ourselves and our existence in this world. Not only do we question ourselves, but also others around us and even the world. Existentialism can often related to depressing thoughts within a patient about how life is uncertain. However, existentialism wants the client to feel depressed about uncertainty they want clients to embrace life. They want clients to find meaning within their life and increase their