The Patient-Therapist Relationship Changes

JULY 2, 2014

The way issues are conceptualized and treated with Process Healing results in a change in the therapist-patient relationship.

The patient-therapist relationship is balanced – By involving the patient in the problem-solving process without dealing with content, the balance of the therapeutic relationship shifts, so the patient and therapist are equal partners, to a greater degree, in the treatment process. Though the therapist manipulates the communication format with the subconscious, which involves ideomotor responses, the patient also manipulates the communication by seeking unbiased responses and sometimes moves into a light trance state. The therapist’s suggestion that the patient can do any intervention the therapist does and by providing how-to-do-it handouts supports balance in the therapeutic relationship.

Eliminates the mystery and complexity of dissociation – The model also takes the mystery and complexity out of dissociation with a model that is readily accepted by patients. It normalizes all dissociative symptoms. I believe that current research can support the theory and it offers a fresh avenue for further research.

Treating without knowing the details of the trauma – Treating memory structures removes therapist “voyeurism” from treatment. It seems that many therapists become involved in the content of trauma in therapy. This model focuses on treating the issues and avoiding the content and history of personality parts. When patients want to remember their trauma, interventions can be used to retrieve the details of the trauma, but without painful emotions.

Prevent ignominy in the patient – The method normalizes symptoms, treats issues without dealing with the content and history of issues, and balances the therapeutic relationship. These characteristics of the method reduce possible humiliation, shame, disgrace, and dishonor (ignominy) in the patient for having difficult issues and needing therapy.

Reduce or eliminate transference issues – Without content of the drama, transference issues are less likely. Dealing with the drama of trauma can hook the therapist’s issues and cause transferences issues. This method weakens the tendency for transference issues. Though this may not entirely remove the transference issues, it will become much less of an issue in therapy.

Promotes independence from the therapist – Perhaps the most interesting consequence of the method is that it promotes the independence of the patient from the therapist. Problem-solving on an equal footing often leads the patient to develop the skill to use his or her subconscious to create interventions for problematic issues. The subconscious often determines the best intervention, which removes control of treatment by the patient or the therapist. The method empowers the patient to enter a spiritual, self-healing path.