Helpful therapeutic processes: Client activities, therapist activities and helpful effects

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore helpful processes in therapy, focusing on the specific client and therapist activities that can lead to helpful effects. Method: Ten clients took part in relationally oriented therapy, and were asked to complete the Post‐Session Form, which asked them to describe helpful client activities, the therapist activities that facilitated this and the perceived impact of these activities. Qualitative data were analysed thematically and a process map was developed to illustrate one of the key pathways of change. Results: Clients identified talking about their emotions and experiences as the principal helpful client activity. The most frequently reported helpful contributions from therapists were questioning, direction and the therapists' specific relational qualities. The effects of these activities were increased insight, completion of therapeutic tasks and changes in clients’ feelings. Discussion: Disentangling client activities from therapist activities allowed clients’ contributions to the change process to come to the fore, while also highlighting the specific therapist activities that can facilitate this.