The Therapeutic Relationship Handbook: Theory & Practice

Acknowledgements
About the Editors
Contributors

Introduction

Section 1: Modalities and the One-to-One Therapeutic Relationship
The therapeutic relationship in counselling and psychotherapy
Psychoanalysis and conceptualisation of the therapeutic relationship
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and the therapeutic relationship
Existential, humanistic and transpersonal therapies and the relational approach
The person centered approach: Courage, presence and complexity: A template for relationship in a postmodern/post-structuralist world

Section 2: Cross modality, Relational, Integrative, Creative and Coaching
The drama of the therapeutic encounter – a cross modality approach
An integrative approach to the psychotherapeutic relationship: Therapeutic challenges and successes
Relational therapy - defining the therapeutic relationship
The opportunities, challenges and complexities of maintaining therapeutic relationship within the creative therapies
Process based relational-centred training: Preparing psychotherapy students to work at relational depth
Dimensions of the coaching relationship

Section 3: Group Therapies, Systemic, Couple/Marital and Family Therapy, and Sex Therapy
The relationship in group therapy
The therapeutic relationship in the systemic therapies
The therapeutic relationship in couples/marital and family therapy
Sex and relationship therapy: Therapeutic relationship perspectives

Section 4: The relationship in the helping professions and mental health
The therapeutic relationship in the helping professions
Working with diagnosis within psychiatric settings: About diagnosis evolution and paradigm shift
Psychiatry and young people
Psychotherapy for disorganised attachment, dissociation and dissociative identity disorder
Making the invisible visible: The relationship when working with learning disabilities

Section 5: Further Dimensions of the Therapeutic Relationship
Transcultural and diversity perspectives: The space between us
Spirituality in therapeutic relationships
Online text-based and video linked relationships: Holograms don't get hangovers
The neuroscience of relationships: Discovering the glia of relationship or reinventing the psychotherapeutic wheel?

Conclusion

Index

Practitioners across many counselling approaches acknowledge that the therapeutic relationship is central to therapy and its outcomes. This book argues that the therapeutic relationship cannot be reduced to particular words or therapeutic skills, but is a relationship encounter that promotes dialogue, contact and process. In each chapter, experts in different fields interpret the therapeutic relationship through the lens of their own modality, offering:

Summaries of the key theoretical and research bases
Example case studies of therapeutic interventions that illuminate key relational components of the approach and the development and management of the therapeutic relationship

Study of the limitations, challenges and complexities of maintaining a therapeutic relationship

Exploration of new developments in working with clients - capturing work that the authors and other colleagues have been involved in developing in that area

The Therapeutic Relationship Handbook is a broad ranging guide for students as well as both new and experienced practitioners.

Divine Charura is a Senior Lecturer in Counselling and Psychotherapy at Leeds Metropolitan University, UK. He is an Adult Psychotherapist who works in the NHS, voluntary sector and in private practice, as well as an independent trainer, supervisor and coach.

Stephen Paul is a client-centred psychotherapist, practising in the areas of therapy, supervision and coaching. He retired as Director of The Centre for Psychological Therapies at Leeds Metropolitan University, UK in 2012 after 20 years of service.

"The editors and authors of this book have produced a volume of theory and practice that has tremendous breadth and scope and that is a thorough analysis of the many facets of the therapeutic relationship. Rich in knowledge and practical applications, the authors demonstrate not only an understanding of their field, but also an ability to communicate this with vignettes and examples that are relevant and enable understanding for both students and practitioners alike. The limitations and challenges of each approach are recognised and a detailed list of further references is given for the reader to explore if desired. I highly recommend this book for both students and practitioners and congratulate the editors and authors on their work. I will certainly use it in our Counselling Education Programs for both Bachelor and Master of Counselling students."
Dr Ann Moir-Bussy, Program Leader and Senior Lecturer Counselling, University of Sunshine Coast. Queensland, Australia