Some Tenuous Assumptions and Conceptions
In Some Tenuous Assumptions and Conceptions the authors explain how the myth of certainty affects the therapist. Therapists may often be overconfident in their ability, experience, and approach to counseling. As a result, therapists’ interpretations often lack the accuracy or understanding of clients’ feelings or behaviors. Therapists tend to underestimate the role of parallel processes, in which the impact a therapist believes to be having on a client is also impacting the therapist. Understanding that expertise, experience, and approach do not necessarily guarantee success with a client or even that the therapist has an accurate understanding of the client. Therapists are encouraged to embrace uncertainty when working with a client, as this type of vulnerability may actually enhance the working alliance and serve as a catalyst for client progress.