Self-Therapy and Existential-Humanistic Healing Approaches

Introduction

Therapy can be administered by the client to themselves. This approach is best supported by the ability of those within the bounds of treatment to look inward and identify what best serves their well-being. As discussed by Art Bohart in his work on active self-healing, self-therapy is most effective when the patient fully acknowledges its importance. Many additional benefits arise when people are engaged in open, constructive dialogue with one another. Therapeutic procedures in life depend on what most effectively brings the healing process to fruition (Bohart & Tallman, 1999). Of particular importance is how people perceive themselves within arrangements inspired by such constructive communication.

The main value of this kind of communication lies in shaping the personal exchanges that matter most to people dealing with psychological challenges. As the number of concerns among individuals increases, the more meaningful and necessary communication becomes. The appropriateness with which people are engaged determines many aspects of their social and psychological lives. There must therefore be a unifying factor that binds those sharing such information together.

Client as the Agent of Change

The client is the center of all that takes place in therapy. It is only through the cooperation of the client that results from treatment become possible. In this sense, it is conceivable for the client to attain full recovery without necessarily seeking the constant attention of a psychiatrist. According to Art Bohart, this is the most effective way to address health challenges — by accepting the responsibility of self-treatment. The most common obstacle in any treatment regime is resistance from the patient. Even when the therapist works diligently to assist a patient's recovery, resistance from the patient reduces the chances of healing (Bohart & Tallman, 1999, p. 8).

Communication is the essential quality needed to resolve therapeutic issues. In aided therapy, the therapist must find effective ways of conveying information to the client (Wickman & Campbell, 2003). A person engaged in steady, open conversation with others will generally find it easier to communicate constructively. Within a communication framework that draws on these processes, more meaningful outcomes emerge than through any other approach. It is through such communication that a therapist can come to understand what is troubling the patient and determine what course of action is most appropriate (Overholser, 2007).

People are better able to meet the objectives of good therapy through communication because it enables them to address a large number of concerns in the least amount of time (Bohart & Tallman, 1999, p. 156). It also affords them the opportunity to work through many issues of interest without undue difficulty. A psychologist is most interested in engaging the client's intelligence through conversation in order to determine what is truly important for treatment. Such communication is also important in establishing what information needs to be conveyed and how best to help the patient progress toward full treatment. Therapeutic communication methods are especially useful when dealing with sensitive information and when individual challenges must be addressed through dialogue (Bohart & Tallman, 1999, p. 32).

Understanding the patient's needs is critical to any overall health strategy. When this understanding is achieved, it increases the chances of healing. The therapist is in a position to explain and assess everything relevant to the patient's health. This kind of communication must be conducted sequentially and with a clear understanding of the process involved. When individuals communicate their concerns to others, it should be done in a manner that minimizes delays and maximizes clarity. The sharing of more information about a given problem makes it possible to communicate solutions more quickly and effectively (Krug, 2013).

Experimental Understanding and Focused Thinking

Experimental understanding encourages people to interpret information as it unfolds, with due regard for the creative nature of therapeutic work. It also simplifies the communication process and makes treatment easier to execute, since every individual must have the opportunity to participate. In guided communication, it is equally important to ensure that all parties share a concern for the well-being of those involved. Experimental understanding is inherently practical — it provides an overall assessment of the situation and breaks down the entire treatment process so that the patient has a genuine opportunity to recover fully (Bohart & Tallman, 1999, p. 67).

The mind is the primary influence in any form of psychological therapy. For this reason, a client must focus their thoughts on what will most effectively support healing in both their mental state and their broader life. It is therefore important to cultivate guided thinking habits in patients to support self-treatment. Well-guided thoughts promote a healing process in the patient's life (Bohart & Tallman, 1999, p. 29). Generative thinking allows communication to extend broadly toward what is needed by all involved parties. It requires everyone to handle differences in communication with care and constructiveness.

The benefits of generative thinking are significant, particularly when applied to therapeutic goals supported by all relevant individuals. Generative thinking yields desirable results at every stage of life for committed therapists. This form of communication reduces the risk of losing track of critical information and minimizes the likelihood of losing connection with clients. A therapist will find such connection meaningful, as it draws attention to the ways in which people are consistently trying to identify and work through what stands in their way (Clark, 2010). Generative thinking also allows people to communicate in ways that foster harmony and mutual respect. It is intentionally used as a means of earning respect, cultivating appeal, and exerting positive influence. The measures taken alongside other communication strategies are all aimed at providing lasting solutions (Bohart & Tallman, 1999, p. 116).

Conclusion and Personal Reflection

These treatment approaches place the client at the center of the therapeutic process. The therapist must pay close and consistent attention to the client in order to oversee a successful outcome. As the primary agent of healing, the client's active participation must be encouraged at every turn. Assessment varies from one practitioner to another — some rely on prior medical records, while others conduct entirely independent evaluations. The latter approach is often appropriate when the patient's condition does not require an emergency response (Bohart & Tallman, 1999, p. 262).

When treatment efforts are integrated, they can help a patient learn how to navigate each stage of their recovery process fully. Mainstream therapeutic procedures have proven value; however, self-treatment as a form of home therapy offers an affordable and convenient complement to formal care. The three approaches discussed in this paper — client-centered communication, experimental understanding, and existential-humanistic empathy — should be integrated because together they support a well-rounded therapeutic process. Considering these benefits, I believe I will be able to put these principles into practice. I have not yet begun formally applying them, but I am eager to do so. My motivation stems from recognizing that many of the likely benefits are directly relevant to my own experience. I plan to pursue this treatment approach collaboratively with a small group of peers in order to maximize motivation and accountability, in the hope of sustaining a meaningful and effective self-treatment practice over the long term.