There is No Such Thing As a Therapist: An Introduction to the Therapeutic Process.

Carol Holmes. London: Karnac. 1997. £16.95

From the Introduction...

"The communicative approach is... in keeping with the current scientific paradigm of systems theory and complementarily, which stresses the dynamic, adaptive and reciprocal nature of all relationships..."

From a communicative perspective, the boundary conditions of the therapeutic setting offer both client and therapist a dilemma. On the one hand, there is the experience of a safe, containing, stable space. However, this is counterbalanced by a deep existential sense of the limiting and restricting nature of the therapeutic environment, which mimics the finiteness and vulnerability of life itself. The ultimate limit situation is death: death anisette is considered by some researchers to be one of the fundamental human concerns and therefore closely linked to emotional disturbance (Klein 1946; Langs, 1997; Searles, 1961; Yalom, 1980). Due to the especially painful nature of the secure, limiting therapeutic framework, it is little wonder that both clients and therapists alike will have powerful tendencies to deviate and to deny this essential vulnerability..... By sheer definition the title and role of 'therapist' confers a degree of power on its holder... it would seem crucial to consider how we as therapists may at times need to disturb the therapeutic encounter, as well as deliberating on how some of our chosen therapeutic strategies at times may conceal self-defensive motives... it can also be argued that the general downgrading of the issue of boundaries in the therapeutic literature might be viewed as a self protective ploy and a way for therapists to retain an omnipotent view of themselves.

...the communicative model demands that the therapist relinquish [an] elevated position and focus Instead on the client's innate ability to supervise the therapist and guide the treatment process. In order for the therapist to receive the client's therapeutic advice, she must be prepared to abdicate and renounce the fictitious security of her superior position.

... when there is a shortfall in the therapists ability to provide a stable, containing, and clearly defined environment... the therapist's admission and acceptance of the client's instruction can provide the basis for a stable, respectful and ego-enhancing experience for the client.