ABSTRACT
Key dimensions of the therapeutic bond that are relevant to Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) are: formal/informal, self-disclosing/non-self-disclosing, and humorous/non-humorous. Whereas some clients will respond much better to you when you adopt a formal, businesslike expert style, other clients will respond more favourably to when therapists adopt an informal, friendly style of interaction. Therapists have to consider whether their client will respond more profitably to a formal or an informal style and modify their own interactive style accordingly. It is usually possible for therapists to meet their clients' preferences on this issue without compromising their work as an REBT therapist. The third dimension of interpersonal style is discussed with therapist humour. Clients who respond well to therapist humour are, in fact, humorous individuals themselves. However, therapists need to appreciate that when some clients respond well to your humour, they may become overly giggly.
