Therapeutic Alliance

In my early professional years, I was asking the question, How can I treat, or cure, or change this person? Now I would phrase the question in this way: How can I provide a relationship which this person may use for his own personal growth?

~ Carl R. Rogers

Simply put, 'therapeutic alliance' means the relationship between the psychologist and the client. Also known as 'therapeutic relationship', it is the way a psychologist and the client bond, interact, and engage with each other. This 'working alliance' is important as it has a direct impact on the outcomes of therapy.

It can be difficult to open up about your deepest feelings and darkest thoughts with a total stranger, is it not? However, if your psychotherapist is able to provide you with a safe, non-judgmental and fair environment with an interest towards listening and understanding you, then hopefully trust will build up to become the foundation of a strong, healthy relationship.

Once the trust is in place, then the therapist and client can work together to:

1. Identify and set goals for the therapy (Collaborative Goal Setting)

2. Agree on the way forward (Shared Decision Making)

3. Create an effective bond with each other

This alliance is a continuous process that is built throughout therapy by both the therapist and the client putting in an effort to uphold their end of the bargain. The therapist needs to be non-biased, open to understanding and empathetic with the client. The client, meanwhile, needs to trust the therapist enough to be open, honest (bring his/her authentic self to therapy) and take ownership to actively show up and participate.