ABSTRACT

Therapists play an ever-increasing role in our society, and in that role they help clients work through a variety of concerns; some are positive, such as assisting someone in making a choice among several attractive alternatives, and some are negative, such as working with substance abuse or the death of a loved one. While being a good listener may be an important and necessary prequel to many forms of therapy, listening, in and of itself, is not sufficient to help the person change behavior. The dynamics of personal therapy involve two or more unique human beings interacting in the moment. Professional attributes associated with the effective and professional practice of therapists exist. An interpretation by a psychoanalyst may be anchored in strengthening the ego, while interpretation of same client material may be reframed for positive intentions of the client by a brief therapist. Therapists employing technology-assisted therapy should be prepared to assist in the frustration by the client based on the technology itself.