ABSTRACT
A central aspect of therapeutic persistence has been described by Hanna and Puhakka as resolute perception. An important aspect of the role of the therapist is to encourage and support the client in their resolve to face up to some kind of experience or dilemma that they have been avoiding. A further perspective on this process can be found in research into unconscious goal-directed thinking, problem-solving and decision-making. Once a therapeutic task has been agreed upon, it becomes a focal point for work in therapy. The job of the therapist becomes that of harnessing the resolute perception of the client on a specific task. Finally, the principle of resolute perception serves as an example of both/and thinking. Pluralistic therapy incorporates a range of procedures (e.g. agreeing goals) that are based in conscious, verbal interaction. There also needs to be space for things to happen outside of awareness.
