COUNSELING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY

Counseling and Psychotherapy

Abstract

In this paper, we consider theory and research addressing some of the fundamental components of psychotherapy relationships and discuss the implications of these for counseling relationships. We examine the contributions to client outcomes both of what have been called common or relationship factors and of approaches and techniques that are specific to particular theoretical orientations. In addition, the structural supports of psychotherapy, such as training and supervision, are discussed, given that parallel efforts have been viewed as important for counseling programs. Then, we turn our attention to the findings of relevant research on counseling, noting where our existing knowledge falls short, and follow this with a discussion of related current counseling program practices. Finally, we provide recommendations for future research and for present practice, in light of the existing knowledge base offered by both the counseling and the psychotherapy literatures.

Table of Contents

Introduction4

Discussion4

Therapeutic Strategies5

Structural Supports for Psychotherapy Relationships7

Research8

Practice8

Conclusion9

References10

Counseling and Psychotherapy

Introduction

In psychotherapy, as in counseling, there are many and often opposing ideas about what makes such relationships “work” and even what the outcome of such endeavors should be. Both are interventions delivered in and through a relationship established between one person who is more expert or experienced in some way and another who is seeking or has been identified as needing assistance. Although there is clear agreement that the relationship between therapist and client is important, there are differing ideas about the role that the relationship itself plays in the change process and what the nature and focus of these kinds of interactions ought to be (Ahn and Wampold 2001).

Discussion

To summarize, whatever the specific framework used, the research on psychotherapy clearly points to the importance of attending to certain common dimensions of helping or change-oriented relationships. Efforts to identify such common dimensions in counseling could help distinguish more effective relationships from those that are only marginally helpful or even harmful (Lampropoulos 2000). These factors may be closely aligned with those identified in the psychotherapy research, or they may prove to be somewhat different (Ahn and Wampold 2001).

It stands to reason that warmth, empathy, and genuineness are all likely to be central components of counseling relationships that make a difference. However, given that counseling is not necessarily a treatment or remedial approach, the importance of goal consensus, for example, may vary depending upon the nature of the counseling relationship. Goal consensus could prove critical in a short-term program whose purpose is to foster the protégé's development of a specific set of prescribed skills, whereas a broad and general agreement about expectations of the nature of the relationship may be more fitting for an ongoing community-based or a natural counseling relationship. Finally, given the highly social nature of many counseling relationships, a distinct common factor may be the pleasure and support derived through experiences of companionship (Lampropoulos 2000).

Therapeutic Strategies

Other psychotherapy research has focused on the contributions that the specific theory-based approaches to treatment and their accompanying techniques make to the change ...