NCJ Number
12249
Journal
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGY AND CORRECTIONS Volume: 15 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1973) Pages: 306-315
Date Published
1973
Length
10 pages
Annotation
INVESTIGATION OF THE CLIENT-COUNSELOR RELATIONSHIP, AND THERAPIST CHARACTERISTICS TO IDENTIFY VARIABLES WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO POSITIVE TREATMENT OUTCOMES.
Abstract
EFFECTIVE COUNSELING IS HYPOTHESIZED TO COMPRISE TWO MAJOR PHASES. DURING THE FIRST OR FACILITATIVE PHASE, THE THERAPIST CONCENTRATES ON ESTABLISHING A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CLIENT BY ESTABLISHING EFFECTIVE THERAPEUTIC CONDITIONS. CENTRAL FACTORS IN CREATING THIS RELATIONSHIP, ACCORDING TO TRUAZ AND CARKHUFF, ARE THE WARMTH, GENUINENESS AND EMPATHY OF THE THERAPIST. THE FACILITATIVE PHASE IS FOLLOWED BY THE ACTION-ORIENTED PHASE, CHARACTERIZED BY CONCRETENESS AND CONFRONTATION. THE AUTHOR EXAMINES THE APPLICABILITY OF THE TWO-PHASED MODEL TO TREATMENT IN THE CORRECTIONAL SETTING, IN LIGHT OF THE COMMONLY FACED OBSTACLES OF CLIENT UNWILLINGNESS TO GET INVOLVED AND THE CONCEPT OF CORRECTIONAL 'AUTHORITY.' HE CONCLUDES THAT IT IS NOT THE CLIENT'S MOTIVATION OR LACK OF IT WHICH DETERMINES TREATMENT SUCCESS, BUT RATHER THE COUNSELOR'S ABILITY TO OFFER FACILITATIVE CONDITIONS, REGARDLESS OF WHO THE CLIENT MAY BE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)