ABSTRACT
The importance of the therapeutic relationship in counseling and clinical psychology has long been recognized, first in clinical practice and theory and, more recently, in a wealth of psychotherapy outcome research. Psychodynamically, the therapeutic relationship is a fundamental and necessary component of successful therapy because it provides the practitioner and client with mechanisms – transference and countertransference – to build a collaborative working alliance and explore and resolve the enduring influences of the client’s past relationships, both positive and negative. Andersen, in a similar vein, suggested that the sport psychology practitioner, through the therapeutic relationship, provides the client with a model for healthy living. Siegel, in his writings on the neuroscience of relationships, emphasizes the importance of intrapersonal mindful presence as a prerequisite to effective interpersonal mindfulness in relationships. This chapter summarizes the neuroscience of three interpersonal mindful conditions: presence, attunement, and resonance, which have been detailed in other writings in sport psychology.
