ABSTRACT

This chapter focuses on the role of the therapeutic relationship in working with cancer patients. Strategies to build an effective and genuinely engaged therapeutic relationship were presented, including Guided Discovery/Socratic Questions (DBT) validation strategies. The challenges of creating and maintaining a psychotherapeutic treatment relationship with cancer patients can be nuanced and complex. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and DBT have developed models that are well suited to addressing the relational needs of cancer patients, both in terms of phase of cancer treatment, and in terms of dealing with patients who may be predisposed to self-invalidation and trust concerns, and who may find emotional expression to be threatening. In the model, disciplined listening and inquiry is at the heart of creating a treatment relationship as well as in generating a case formulation for treatment of cancer patients. Given the frequently short duration of therapy with cancer patients, time efficiency is vital.