Psychotherapy is a voluntary relationship between two people, one who seeks help and the other who is ready to provide the help, i.e., the therapist. It is given under therapeutic conditions.
Various psychotherapeutic approaches have the following characteristics:
1. All psychotherapies are systematic application of some theory or principle of different therapies.
2. Only trained professionals can practise psychotherapy.
3. Therapeutic situation is a two-way process in which therapist as well as client actively interact.
4. Psychotherapy functions under formation of therapeutic relationship which is confidential, interpersonal and dynamic in nature. Psychotherapy has very broad scope to deal with disorders which are as follows:
• Reinforcing client’s resolve for betterment.
• Lessening emotional pressure.
• Unfolding the potential for positive growth.
• Modifying habits.
• Changing thinking patterns.
• Increasing self-awareness.
• Improved interpersonal relations and communication.
• Facilitating decision-making.
• Becoming aware of ones preferences in life.
• Development of adaptive behaviour.
Therapeutic Relationship:
The special professional relationship between the client and the therapist is known as therapeutic relationship or alliance.
There are two major components of this relationship:
1. The Contractual Nature of the Relationship in which two willing individuals, the client and the therapist, enter into a partnership which aims at helping the client overcome his problems.
2. Limited Duration of the Therapy: This alliance lasts until the client becomes able to deal with his problems and take control of his life.
Through therapeutic relationship the therapist wins the trust of the client. The quality of this relationship/alliance determines early healing in psychotherapy.
