The Therapist Story

Freud's contributions have radically altered our thinking about psychotherapy and human behavior. Although this has resulted in the development of many theories and techniques of therapy, the basic ingredient remains the relationship between the therapist and the patient. Since the latter comes to the former in a state of need, the therapist holds enormous power, which can be used negatively for exploitation and manipulation, or positively for healing and growth. The potential for the abuse of such power makes the value system and beliefs of the therapist vitally important. By being "congruent," the therapist can create a context of trust and caring, which enables the patient to dispel1 his or her fears and begin to explore new growth patterns. Therapy is a deeply intimate and vulnerable experience, requiring sensitivity to one's own state of being as well as to that of the other. It is the meeting of the deepest self of the therapist with the deepest self of the patient or client.