ABSTRACT
It is easy for therapists to become over-reliant on a particular preference in relation to challenge or support, which often relates to their own personality and needs. This, however, may become rigid and consequently not be appropriate for a large number of clients. Challenge and support can be considered on two continua and the therapist needs to attune to the required level of challenge and support needed for each client at any given moment. High levels of support can be very important for clients who are feeling profoundly emotional, or who are experiencing painful transitions, or while dealing with emergence of repressed feelings. High levels of support can, however, be problematic when overdone or misattuned and can effectively impair the therapist's potency and render the therapeutic relationship a cosy, collusive space where little change takes place. Low levels of support can be helpful in promoting resilience in the client and inviting a client to take Adult responsibility, but can be experienced as persecutory or withholding by the client, who may well leave therapy if they feel their needs are not being suf®ciently attended to and who may experience the therapy as an unsafe place to explore deeper levels of affect.
