Essay Sample on Create a Safe Space: The Therapist's Role in Healing

Introduction

People are actively seeking therapy for something they are suffering from, such as distress, and are looking for relief (Cowan, 2017). A therapist aims to help patients discover and understand themselves. However, for patients to be open to limitations imposed by their past, a therapeutic relationship must be created where an intimate connection that facilitates exposure of profound feelings, thoughts, and beliefs. Therapists, therefore, have a role in providing an open, safe environment that promotes change and self-exploration. The following assignment is a critical reflection based on the case one found in the book, Ariadne's Thread by Dr.Cowan.

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The opening two remarks in case one caught my attention and the reaction was that the case according to the first remark involved love gone sour at some point while the second remark sets up thinking that there has been a loss of loved ones. However, the start of the conversation reflects a situation in which conflict in marriage needs therapeutic help. Several scenarios stood out in the case. It's clear that the therapy had gone on for some time, and the therapist identifies the weakness in the progress in that he recognizes that the use of "I" messages and communicating from his own experience was still a weakness(Cowan, 2017). The therapist is quick to understand the clients as he says they are intelligent (Cowan, 2017), college-educated at their early 30s, articulate and engaging (Cowan, 2017), and goes ahead to create an environment in which the problem can be identified, and both parties express themselves. The therapist also determined that the female partner initiated the therapy, and Jeffery warmed up to the process as it was engaging for both parties. At first, the reason for treatment was less apparent, and that was the starting point for the therapist. Continued communication and technical aspects of listening, communicating from own experience, and owning responsibility and feelings of shared feelings were evident, and there was a good connection between the clients and the therapists. The therapy progress revealed more into the conflict, and the therapist is determined to help work through conflict. None of the partners could stand being alone (Cowan, 2017), and conflict separated them from isolation. What is most interesting is that the end of therapy reflects the success of the session as they identified that conflict hindered adjustment in their relationship levels and was a sense of betrayal(Cowan, 2017). The end of the course felt a loss for the therapist as he had become so close with the clients(Cowan, 2017).

As a potential future therapist, the reading challenged me in that the therapist has a role to play in society, which is not easy. However, he aims to identify the problem, create a safe and accommodating environment, track progress, find a solution to the clients, and finally make a follow up on the clients.

There are several ways in which one relates to Dr. Cowan in the case study. The scenario is based on creating a therapeutical relationship that is based on sustained empathy. Dr. Cowan guided the therapy process through the creation of a relationship. There is an interaction with clients over the sessions, and the critical concept, in this case, was understanding the concepts of conflicts through listening as part of communication and owning responsibilities.

I would have approached the scenario differently by examining the context in which the conflict existed, take time to investigate why the complaints were made at the specific time, and identified the developmental history of the conflict. Further, I would have reviewed past sessions in the therapy to track progress when I recognize a weakness. Again, I would ensure the therapy created a special interpersonal climate of trust.

Therapeutically relationship is essential in that it is the relationship that creates a solution in psychotherapy (Cowan, 2017). The author demonstrates the importance and effectiveness of the relationship in various ways. First, therapeutical relationships excluded conventions and rules governing much social intercourse as the relationship exists to actualize the client's potentialities (Cowan, 2017). The relationship is also crucial as it is collaborative and active in that it involves collaboration between clients and therapists in achieving change, exploration, struggle, and gain in self-awareness. Another importance is that the real relationship in humans builds trust, empathy, and love (Cowan, 2017). the relationship also creates a holding environment by maintaining a validating presence that ensures a safe environment. The couple was able to talk about abortion as the environment was holding and safe.

Conclusion

As noted in the case scenario, the therapeutic relationship is vital for the success of the patient's outcomes. It can be argued to be the most contributing factor in successful cases despite the treatment or therapist technique used in counseling theory and practice. The relationship is unique as it is a first-time intimate connection with another party where profound beliefs, feelings, and thoughts are exposed and shared. Clients are more open and better aligned to the therapy process when there is a holding, open, and safe environment that encourages self-exploration and change. What are the essentials to foster therapeutic relationships?

Dr. Cowan noted from the heated exchange between the clients in his therapist room that the use of "I" messages and communicating from his own experience was still a weakness between them. This is a good illustration for Dr. Cowan on the importance of tracking progress in the therapy process. As a potential future therapist, what are the best ways to identify progress in the process? When a weakness is identified, what is the best way to address it while still maintain a trusting and collaborative environment?

References

Cowan, E. W. (2017). Ariadne's Thread: Case Studies in the Therapeutic Relationship (2nd ed.). CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.