ABSTRACT
Much of the research into the effectiveness of psychotherapy has focused on what the therapist provides for the client. This is the case even in the early research into the person-centred approach where the therapist's provision of a number of `core conditions' was regarded as central to the facilitation of change (Rogers, 1951). Tallman and Bohart (2005) challenge the idea of the therapist as `hero' that is central to much research and clinical discussions of therapy and substitute instead the idea of the client as `hero' in the therapeutic process. They suggest that it is the client's capacity for self-healing and his creative ability to use whatever is on offer that leads to effective change and is the most potent common factor in psychotherapy. To support this approach Hubble et al. state: `We believe the Dodo verdict occurs because the client's abilities to use whatever is offered often surpass any differences that might exist in techniques and approaches' (1999: 95). They support an outcome-informed approach to psychotherapy ± and an engagement in `the business of change' that addresses those factors that facilitate change for the client rather than a focus on the `therapy business' (Miller et al., 2005: 85). Therapists need to know if the current therapeutic relationship is `a good ®t' (p. 85) for the client, and if it is not they need to adjust their stance and accommodate early enough to maximize the chances of success. `Therapy facilitates naturally occurring healing aspects of clients' lives. Therapists function as support systems and resource providers' (Hubble et al., 1999: 91).
