COUNSELOR-CLIENT ALLIANCE

Counselor-Client Alliance

Counselor-Client Alliance

Introduction

Counseling and healing work may be recounted as a therapeutic connection between the client and the Pastoral Counselor that facilitates change and transformation. Considering the apparent centrality of the counseling alliance to successful counseling, it is incumbent upon counselor educators to provide trainees with a comprehensive understanding of the construct of the alliance and the necessary skills to build and maintain effective alliances with their clients (i.e., alliance-formation competence). The counseling alliance is also referred to as the “therapeutic alliance,” the “working alliance,” the “ego alliance,” and the “helping alliance (Asay & Lambert, 2002, 531-537).” It refers to the quality and strength of the reciprocal relationship between a client and a counselor and includes both the affective elements and the collaborative working elements of this reciprocal relationship.

Whereas the notion of the alliance evolved from the study of the therapeutic relationship, the alliance has come to represent the specific working elements of the relationship between clients and counselors the counseling relationship comprises three key parts:

(a) the transference complex (transference and counter transference— processes referring to the reaction to the other person based upon other significant relationships and unresolved psychodynamic conflicts),

(b) the alliance, and

(c) the real relationship (an affective liking bond between the counselor and client independent of their work together). This latter component is most associated with genuineness and congruence (D'Ardenne, Mahatani, 1999, 45-125), so therefore the alliance is different from the Rogerian facilitative conditions (Rogers, 1957, 95-103). Client Counselor Alliance

Counseling is not only about discovering centre issues and gaining a distinct viewpoint on problems and psychological difficulties. It is furthermore about construction a rapport and trust with the counselor, so that a purchaser feels snug sufficient to open up and voice their worries. This relationship is built on believe and confidentiality, and can ...