Edge of the Couch Can Clients Become Too Dependent on Therapy?
Dec 7, 2022
The discussion kicks off with the nuances of client dependency in therapy. Hosts reflect on early training warnings about fostering reliance. They explore how therapists' reactions and boundaries can complicate these dynamics. The importance of connection in therapy as a healing vehicle is emphasized, contrasting dependency with disconnection. They challenge misconceptions about neediness, linking it to societal biases. Finally, the conversation touches on ethical boundaries, the need for compassionate communication, and the delicate balance of intimacy in therapeutic relationships.
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Reliance Is Not Automatically Pathology
- Therapists often learn to pathologize client reliance as inherently bad, which lacks nuance.
- Allison McCleary argues connection and reliance are normative parts of therapy that enable healing.
Therapy As A Practice Ground For Relationships
- The therapeutic relationship functions as a safe place for co-regulation and attachment.
- Jordan Piquel and Allison say that closeness helps clients practice being in healthy relationships outside therapy.
Write Clear Communication Policies
- Set clear boundaries around between-session contact and communication modes.
- Inform clients of policies early and discuss adjustments kindly in session when needed.