An Introduction to the Therapeutic Relationship in Counselling and Psychotherapy

The therapeutic relationship is considered to be the most significant factor in achieving positive therapeutic change. As such, it is essential that trainee and practising therapists are able to facilitate a strong working alliance with each of their clients. This book will help them do just that, by offering a practical and evidence-based guide to all aspects of the therapeutic relationship in counselling and psychotherapy. Cross-modal in its approach, this book examines the issues impacting on the therapeutic relationship true to all models of practice. Content covered includes: - The history of the therapeutic relationship - The place of the therapeutic relationship in a range of therapy settings, including IAPT - Concepts and practical skills essential for establishing and maintaining a successful working alliance - The application of the therapeutic relationship to a variety of professional roles in health and social care - Practice issues including potential challenges to the therapeutic relationship, working with diversity and personal and professional development - Research and new developments Using examples, points for reflection and chapter aims and summaries to help consolidate learning, the authors break down the complex and often daunting topic of the therapeutic relationship, making this essential reading for trainee and practising therapists, as well as those working in a wider range of health, social care and helping relationships.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: The therapeutic relationship in counselling and psychotherapy Introducing the Therapeutic Relationship Introducing the therapeutic relationship What the research tells us The relationship in different modalities A relational approach to therapy Developmental factors in a relational approach Establishing and Maintaining the Relationship Establishing the relationship Developing the relationship Challenges to the relationship: When things get tricky Ending the relationship The Relationship in Context The therapist’s self in relationship Working with difference within the therapeutic relationship: A relational perspective Developing your Practice Appendix 1 Glossary of terms Appendix 2 Conclusions and Recommendations of the Interdivisional (APA Divisions 12 & 29) Task Force on Evidence-Based Therapy Relationships

About the Author :
Stephen Paul has recently retired as  Director of The Centre for Psychological Therapies at Leeds Metropolitan University after 20 years of  service.   He is a client-centred psychotherapist. He is co-editor of The Therapeutic Relationship: Themes and Perspectives (PCCS , 2008) and  The Therapeutic Relationship Handbook: Theory and (McGraw-Hill /OUP ,2014). Stephen was instrumental in developing a Relational Approach to Therapy with Geoff Pelham (1999).. He has worked extensively in both adult and child & adolescent psychiatry. He has been  head of a therapeutic school  and  was Director of the VSO programme in Bhutan. Stephen now writes, practises therapy, supervision and coaching, and provides training. Divine Charura is professor of counselling psychology and programme director for the doctorate in counselling psychology at York St John University. He is a chartered counselling psychologist and registered psychotherapist and has co-authored and edited numerous books in counselling and psychotherapy. 

Review :
Stephen Paul and Divine Charura are to be congratulated on producing this almost ′encyclopaedic′ work reflecting upon the importance and complexity of the relationship within therapy. Suitable for students and experienced therapists alike, this text is illuminated with ′clips′ relating to client and practitioner experiences, theoretical issues and research outcomes. Most importantly, the authors have provided a non-theoretical school/ modality based approach in full recognition of the therapeutic equivalency across therapeutic styles and in pursuit of exploring and  articulating the critically important element of relationship in therapy. A wonderful resource and contribution to current professional literature. This book is a gem. It is well written, easy to read and underpinned by a deep scholarship.  It clearly draws on its authors’ lengthy experiences of counselling practice, supervision and training.  Rightly, they put the therapeutic relationship at the heart of the successful counselling process and clearly show how techniques from differing approaches to therapy can be appropriately used. This is a book that will appeal to both trainees and experienced practitioners of counselling, psychotherapy and related disciplines. There is something for almost everyone here. There are twenty-five chapters, divided into five sections, which between them cover almost the whole field of psychotherapy.