Therapeutic Environment : Core Conditions for Facilitating Therapy

by Hazler, Richard J.

• ISBN13: 9780335202829
• ISBN10: 0335202829
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-06-01
• Publisher: Open University Press

Summary

Psychology bookshelves are filled with texts on different theories of how to do therapy and why one specific theory will work better than all the others. Yet the fact is research proves over and over again that all theories can work under the right conditions. This book takes a unique look at the specifics of those conditions that are facilitative to all forms of therapy, and how they are identified in different theories.The diverse experiences and viewpoints of an American humanistic therapist and a British psychodynamic therapist are brought together to explore the essential conditions needed for therapy to succeed. Extensive use of first-hand examples and thorough academic support combine to create vivid text, a sound theoretical base and practical therapeutic applications. The opening chapters draw on substantial research evidence which suggests that all theoretical approaches are equally effective in the hands of good therapists. It proposes that an important factor contributing to this effectiveness is the environment in which therapy is practised. Three central chapters give in-depth explorations of the unique ways in which the broad theoretical orientations of Psychodynamic, Existential-Humanistic, and Cognitive-Behavioural deal with the philosophy, labelling, function, perspective and implementation of a facilitative environment. A concluding chapter synthesizes information from these diverse orientations to identify core commonalities and critical differences between how therapists from different theoretical persuasions develop common understandings, maintain working client relationships and regulate their personal involvement in therapy.

Author Biography

Richard Hazler is Professor of Counsellor Education at Ohio University. He has years of experience as an instructor and as a counsellor in schools, prisons, the military and private practice. His training and background has lead to numerous articles and books that emphasize a humanisitic orientation to the theory and practice of therapy.

Nick Barwick works as a Counsellor at the The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London and has lectured on psychodynamic perspectives at a number of higher and further education institutions. He is Associate Editor of Psychodynamic Counselling.

Table of Contents

Series editor's preface	ix
Acknowledgements	xii
A personal introduction: core conditions of the facilitative writing environment	1	(3)
Richard Hazler
Nick Barwick
Somehow therapy works: core conditions of the facilitative therapeutic environment	4	(9)
Richard Hazler
Core conditions	4	(2)
Success across therapies	6	(6)
The relationship factor	7	(1)
Environmental factors	8	(1)
Involvement	9	(1)
Emotions	9	(1)
Culture	9	(1)
Thought	10	(1)
Time	10	(1)
Conditions versus techniques	11	(1)
Variations on a theme of success	12	(1)
Core conditions of the psychodynamic environment	13	(31)
Nick Barwick
Introduction: an environmental paradox	13	(1)
Paradigms and perspectives	13	(1)
Core conditions	14	(27)
The analytic setting: a threate for transference operations	14	(1)
Reserve	15	(1)
Tact	16	(1)
Order	17	(1)
Personal involvement	18	(2)
Equality	20	(2)
Adding to the analytic setting: a consulting room for alliance collaborations	22	(1)
The alliance	22	(3)
Patient contributions	25	(1)
Adaptability	26	(1)
Subversion	26	(2)
Recasting the analytic setting: a theatre for transference gathering	28	(1)
Emotional permeability	28	(2)
Containment	30	(1)
The analytic setting revisited: a nursery for developmental redress	31	(1)
Holding	31	(3)
Play	34	(1)
Narcissistic alliance or misalliance?	35	(2)
Empathy	37	(1)
Therapeutic failure	38	(2)
Limiting the analytic setting: terminal conditions	40	(1)
Conclusion	41	(1)
Response and reflection	42	(2)
Richard Hazler
Core conditions of the cognitive-behavioural environment	44	(28)
Richard Hazler
Introduction: a collision of internal and external variables	44	(1)
Paradigms and perspectives	45	(2)
Core conditions	47	(9)
Order	47	(2)
Data	49	(1)
Motivation and availability	49	(1)
Goals	50	(1)
Hypothetical mindset	51	(1)
Experimentation	52	(1)
Environmental reinforcement	53	(1)
Collaboration	54	(1)
Relationship	55	(1)
Applications	56	(10)
Maintaining order	57	(1)
Eliciting data	58	(1)
Tapping motivation	58	(1)
Highlighting goals	59	(1)
Establishing a hypothetical mindset	60	(1)
Continuing experimentation	61	(1)
Building a reinforcing environment	62	(1)
Instituting collaboration	63	(1)
Enhancing relationships	64	(2)
Conclusion	66	(1)
Response and reflection	67	(1)
Nick Barwick
The influence of social psychology	67	(2)
The influence of post-rational constructivist psychology	69	(3)
Core conditions of the existential-humanistic environment	72	(30)
Richard Hazler
Introduction: worlds apart in the same place	72	(1)
Paradigms and perspectives	73	(4)
Core conditions	77	(9)
Trust	77	(1)
Empathic understanding	78	(2)
Personal encounter	80	(1)
Immediacy	81	(1)
Personal stories	82	(2)
Patience	84	(1)
Relationship commitment	85	(1)
Working alliance	86	(1)
Applications	86	(9)
Creating trust	87	(1)
Producing empathy	88	(1)
Reflective encounters	89	(2)
Maintaining immediacy	91	(1)
Finding threads and holes in personal stories	92	(1)
Complementary patience	93	(1)
Committing to relationship roles	93	(1)
Alliance for progress	94	(1)
Conclusion: an environment of communion	95	(1)
Response and reflection	96	(6)
Nick Barwick
Person-centred therapy	97	(1)
Gestalt therapy	98	(1)
Gestalt revisited	99	(1)
Process-experiential therapy	100	(2)
Therapeutic environments: a comparative review	102	(16)
Richard Hazler
Nick Barwick
Introduction	102	(1)
Core conditions	103	(12)
Involvement	103	(3)
Order	106	(2)
Experimentation	108	(2)
Trust	110	(3)
Immediacy	113	(2)
Final thoughts: the cyclical nature of the facilitative environment	115	(3)
Notes	118	(4)
References	122	(18)
Index	140