Therapeutic beginnings

Amos, IA

Abstract

For anyone who is interested in the process of therapy, or contemplated undertaking a training course in counselling or psychotherapy, it is quite possible that the question of ‘how therapy goes’ has been considered. Whilst it is not possible to predict the course of therapy as it unfolds for each individual client, it is assumed that a number of key tasks applicable to the establishment of therapy can be pinpointed and discussed. It is acknowledged that different therapeutic approaches may prioritise a variety of different element, this chapter aims to offer an overview of some of the central elements that may be considered by a therapist at the outset of commencing any type of therapy.
This chapter presents discussion on the following:
• Receiving and managing client referrals
• The physical environment; how a therapy room might look and for what purpose
• The establishment of initial psychological contact with the client and therapeutic contracting
• The identification of appropriate therapy goals
• Reflexivity in practice

Citation

Amos, I. (2017). Therapeutic beginnings. In C. Feltham, T. Hanley, & L. Winter (Eds.), The Sage Handbook of Counselling and Psychotherapy. Sage

• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jun 28, 2018
• Book Title: The Sage Handbook of Counselling and Psychotherapy
• ISBN: 9781473953307
• Publisher URL: https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/the-sage-handbook-of-counselling-and-psychotherapy/book248878#contents
• Related Public URLs: https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur