Behavior therapy and the therapist-patient relationship.

Abstract

Though traditionally recognized as being of central importance in the psychotherapeutic process, the therapist-patient relationship has remained shadowy and ill defined. Behavior therapy, derived as it is from behavior-theory principles, offers potentially fruitful leads to attaining a clearer understanding of the critical variables involved. The relationship, operationally defined in social reinforcement terms and conceived of as an integral aspect of more basic social behavior-influence methods, is systematically used to achieve well-defined predetermined therapeutic goals. The applicability and means of maximizing the efficiency of this therapeutic method are discussed.

Influence of group cohesion on the behavioral treatment of smoking.

“…However, there is also a lack of agreement on the operational nature of the relationship and a paucity of evidence bearing on the critical factors involved (Ford, 1978;Wilson et al, 1968).…”

“…It appears that some degree of recognition of the importance of the therapist-client relationship has always existed, although not always explicitly (Parloff et al, 1978;Wilson et al, 1968).…”

“…Nonjudgmental acceptance may engender a positive emotional response resulting in "nonspecific reciprocal inhibition" (Wolpe & Lazarus, 1966). The onset of certain stimuli such as warmth and acceptance may serve as safety signals eliciting the reduction of anxiety (Wilson et al, 1968), perhaps according to an implicit hierarchical desensitization process (Patterson, 1968). Martin (1971) defined the relationship as a counter conditioning agent in which, presumably, the behavior of the therapist has an effect on the client by providing a rewarding situation whose base is the Rogerian conditions of genuineness, respect, and unconditional positive regard.…”

“…One of the most important variables mentioned was the relation ship with a helping person, often with the participation of a group (Woody, 1971). There are indications that this may be true not only of verbal and insight oriented therapies, but also for behaviorallybased interventions (DeVoge & Beck, 1978;Kazdin & Hersen, 1980;Wilson & Evans, 1976Wilson, Hannon, & Evans, 1968).…”

A Study of Marriage Counselor's MMPI Profiles

“…Truax and Carkhuff found agreement between their theories and those of various "schools" and available research. Wilson et al (1968) in a review of the literature on the therapist-patient relationship, pointed up ways in which therapists and counselors may behave or relate to their clients, but did not describe the counselor's personality. Bergin (1966) found negative relationships with test indicators of personality disturbances, e.g., the Psychasthenia (Pt) and the Depression (D) scales of the MMPI, and positive relationships with measures of personal strength, e.g., the Dominance and Change scales of the EPPS, all beyond .05 level of significance.…”