A journey to client and therapist mutuality in person-centered psychotherapy: a case study

Tickle, Emma; Murphy, David

Abstract

This aim of this case study was to build theory on the development of client–therapist mutuality in person-centered psychotherapy. A case study focusing on a 42-year-old female client who had presented for therapy following trauma within interpersonal relationships has been used. A reflective, theory-building, case study method was adopted that used data gathered from verbatim session notes and research interviews between the therapist (first author) and research supervisor (second author). Three primary therapeutic processes that contributed to the development of mutuality are discussed. First, the development of mutual empathy in the relationship; second, strategies for disconnection and staying out of relationship are identified. Third, client agency and mutuality is explored. In conclusion the study proposes that mutuality is a key construct within person-centered psychotherapy and develops as a natural consequence of the presence of Rogers’ therapeutic conditions.

Citation

Tickle, E., & Murphy, D. (2014). A journey to client and therapist mutuality in person-centered psychotherapy: a case study. Person-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapies, 13(4), https://doi.org/10.1080/14779757.2014.927390

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jul 14, 2014
• Deposit Date: Feb 24, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 24, 2016
• Journal: Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies
• Print ISSN: 1477-9757
• Electronic ISSN: 1752-9182
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 4
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14779757.2014.927390
• Keywords: mutuality, mutual empathy, strategies for disconnection, client agency, case study
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/732666
• Publisher URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14779757.2014.927390
• Additional Information: This is an accepted manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies, on 14/07/2014, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/14779757.2014.927390