ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the “nuts and bolts” of therapeutic techniques. Eye contact, tone of voice, gestures, phrasing, and timing all contribute to the outcome of the therapeutic process. Psychotherapeutic technique encompasses artistic skill—timing, balance, focus, movement, dynamics, conviction, and the ability to move from one transitional space to another. In couple therapy, the therapeutic task is to gradually wean the couple away from such primitive defenses as shame/blame; envy/jealousy, domination/control to a state of self-development and responsibility. The therapist’s “performance” must be good enough to hold the patient’s interest and contain enough drama to make the patient open to creating new emotional experiences. The outcome of successful therapy is greatly enhanced if the therapist has confidence, empathic attunement, strong technique and theoretical background, and enough “arrogance to carry if off” and thus lead the patient to a breakthrough.
