ABSTRACT
The task of couple therapy is to gain the trust and partnership of the clients, the foundation of the therapeutic relationship. The work of therapy requires the active, two-way engagement of therapist and clients. The therapeutic relationship does not just imply the client(s) opening up to allow the therapist into his/her/their personal life struggles. To win the confidence of clients, therapists need to demonstrate competence. For therapists to be able to communicate their personal presence effectively in the relational process, the endeavor begins somewhere inside of themselves. Therapists look to join their clients in their journey—bearing with them their pain through empathy, and sharing with them their battle to overcome through their engaged presence and energy. Therapeutic interventions must be personally meaningful and impactful while technically strategically fitting. There are no contraindications when therapists are able to put themselves consciously and purposefully into the therapeutic process.
