Useful constructions of the client–therapist relationship.

Abstract

Although different theories of psychotherapy emphasize the importance of the therapeutic relationship, these perspectives diverge when considering why this relationship matters clinically. This article proposes that different verbal constructions or definitions of the therapeutic relationship result in very different approaches to treatment and affect the way the client and therapist interact. An understanding of this relationship using a contemporary radical behavioral therapy, Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP), is discussed and is contrasted with different conceptualizations of this relationship. This discussion emphasizes how specific constructions provide advantages to therapists that facilitate treatment and offers a distinction between the therapeutic relationship and a friendship. A discussion of why it is important for the therapist to understand and convey this definition to the client during treatment is included along with a brief description of how supervision helps the therapist gain an understanding of this relationship.

Is the Client-Worker Relationship Associated with Better Outcomes in Mandated Child Abuse Cases?

“…They stated that a wise counselor would carefully attend to the process when counseling by providing high levels of empathy, respect, and collaboration. Other variables, such as clear expectations of the parties involved (Al-Darmaki & Kivlinghan, 1993) and the manner (hierarchical vs. collaborative) in which the therapist defines the relationship, have been found to affect the client-worker relationship (Callaghan, Naugle, & Follette, 1996). For example, clear expectations and a collaborative style were found to positively affect the client-worker relationship.…”

The Functional Idiographic Assessment Template-Questionnaire (FIAT-Q): Initial psychometric properties

“…It was initially developed in response to a growing need for consistent language about the variety of different interpersonal repertoires addressed in FAP. FAP is a contemporary behavioral intervention that uses both Skinnerian operant principles of shaping behavior with social reinforcement and contemporary contextual science analyses of language to understand how to effectively create clinical change in the context of the therapeutic relationship (see for example, Callaghan, Naugle, & Follette, 1996; Follette, Naugle, & Callaghan, 1996). Contingent responding to client interpersonal behaviors is the hypothesized mechanism of change in FAP, so the idiographic functional behavioral assessment of each client’s interpersonal repertoires is essential for therapeutic success (Follette et al, 1996).…”

Positive Psychology: A Clinical Behavior Analytic Perspective

“…The therapist responds contingently when problem-versus-improvement behaviors occur in session within the therapeutic relationship. The therapist supplies his or her natural, contingent reaction to increase the frequency and to shape the quality of client improvements, to extinguish maladaptive behaviors (Callaghan, Naugle, & Follette, 1996), and to facilitate the generalization of clients' new skills to their outside relationships. The therapist's contingent responding is used to shape client behavior in a manner consistent with the client's values and teaches the client how his or her own behavior affects the social environment.…”