The Efficacy Of Relational Depth In Person-centred Therapy For Treating Anxiety Disorders Assignment Sample

Introduction to: The Efficacy Of Relational Depth In Person-centred Therapy For Treating Anxiety Disorders

Relational depth in person-centred counselling (PCC) is a concept that described depth of relationship between the client and the counsellor. This approach is in contrast to formats such as CBT and psychodynamic therapy where, the former and respectively are characterised by formal strategies and analysis of repressed desires and impulses. CBT is generally supported by quantitative research that can report the achievement of its targets, whereas PCC quality is described by qualitative data revealing patients’ subjective accounts of the level of relatedness established in the therapy.

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LO1: Understanding Methodologies and Literature Review

1.1 Quantitative Research Methodology

Quantitative research is an empirical investigation mainly in terms of the measurable facts or concepts as numbers. This approach uses the use of statistics to obtain quantitative outcomes so that and pattern within large population may be tested. In therapeutic research quantitative analysis appears in formalised designs such as surveys, questionnaires and controlled trials including Randomised Control Trials (RCTs) where the effectiveness of various therapeutic interventions may be measured quantitatively.

The most frequent mode of quantitative study in therapy is the randomised control trial (RCT), especially in the examination of cognitive therapy (CBT). RCTs involve the allocation of the participants into the experimental or control group to derive some conclusions regarding efficacy of the treatment. For example, Haake (2024) systematically presented evidence regarding the effectiveness of CBT for treating anxiety disordersand the results pointed out that patients who underwent a course of CBT had significantly lower severity of anxiety symptoms as compared to the individuals in the control groups who did not undertake any form of CBT, or had been using other forms of therapeutic intervention.

Advantages of Quantitative research include; Quantitative research is more scientific because it involves structured, systematic data collection which allows it to provide enough statistics to back the findings. This kind of research is very important when resulting to common mean distribution so that to get pertinent results that are generalizable across the various populations.

Nevertheless, cons are that quantitative research paradigm may not be very effective in capturing richness of people’s experiences (Hepburn, 2022). Although it is good for monitoring overall tendencies and its results, it may lack attention to detail in client counsellor interactions which are central to such approaches as person centred counselling that highly value the therapeutic relationship.

Similar pros and cons appear in research showing that CBT was superior to or as efficacious as psychodynamic therapy in treating anxieties. For example, Shedler (2010) in a meta-analysis of CBT/ Psychodynamic therapies for PTSD stated that although both were effective, quantitative measures preferred CBT as it produced measurable progressive results as opposed to the dynamic, slowly evolving and individualised psychodynamic therapy.

1.2 Qualitative Research Methodology

Quantitative research is a methodological approach designed to gain comprehensive knowledge about the experiences of people or events in ways that allow for the generation of quantitative data. More specifically, in the context of person-centred therapy (PCT), qualitative research is helpful to assess how the working alliance affects the client’s results (Stephen, 2020). In particular, interview techniques have been used to exploit the client’s views about their therapeutic journeys, and how the nature of the relationship they had with their therapist helped them heal. One is the study by Elliott et al. (2013) where the authors sought to determine the importance of relation in therapy, they found out that the client’s perceived relation to the therapist positively predicted their outcomes in therapy.

The advantages of qualitative research include an in-depth exploration of experiences of individuals, events and situations in their environment. Such a level of understanding is important in analysing patterns of interactions in counselling where delicate emotional processes may influence the nature of recovery. Exploratory analyses proposed the richness of the therapeutic process and how aspects like understanding, transparency, and trust influence practise.

Nevertheless, con of qualitative research are again slightly different from its pros. A major weakness includes the fact that results are likely to be coloured by the researcher’s perceptions and beliefs. For example, in Gergen et al. (2000) investigates the therapeutic alliances in PCT and turn attention to relational depth to improve clients’ well-being.McLeod (2011) researched the clients’ experiences explicate how the personal storey enhances the understanding of the process. These studies highlight the importance of qualitative research to obtain the relational processes in the therapy, which may be useful for improving therapeutic practise and future research.

1.3 Comparison of Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research

A critical evaluation of quantitative and qualitative treatment approaches to assessing the therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of anxiety disorders is worthy of praising since each approach is different and offers the field of knowledge its own method of working. Measures used in quantitative research are defined in numerical terms besides using randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in assessing the impact of healing practises.

On the other hand, there is an interest in the outcome of descriptive, especially with regard to relational depth, in such methodologies as PCC and resulting client provide an insight into the subjective experience. This methodology offers good quality narrative data that describe the nature of the interaction between the clients and therapists as potential factors, which affect the client’s progress (Macaskill et al. 2020). For example, qualitative research has described how clients include being relationship with the caregiver as a complex factor of the clients’ recovery, aspects such as empathy, genuinenity and working alliance. As it can be seen, both paradigms integrate well when examining anxiety disorders. For instance, a quantitative study might suggest that CBT minimises the symptoms of anxiety, while a qualitative study can uncover the perception of the clients as to how the therapeutic relationship accounts for success; something that may be missing or distorted in exclusive quantitative research.

1.4 The Chosen Method of Research

As for the research method, for this research, qualitative research method has been opted for the investigation. This approach is most suitable for uncovering unique, detailed perceptions on the experiences of clients and therapists entrenched in the relational depth in person-centred therapy. Exploratory research including descriptive interviews and themes enables the temporal analysis of applications that are not easily measurable (Swales, 2020). Due to such an approach to working with participants’ views, this method allows providing a detailed examination of the therapeutic relationship’s emotional experience, which is critical when studying relational depth in therapeutic practices.

Figure 1: Benefits of counseling

1.5 Literature Review Summary

Research Paper 1: Clients’ Experiences of Relational Depth in Person-Centred Counselling

This paper by Rosanne Knox, 2008, examines clients’ relational depth in person-centred counselling (PCC) from a quantitative perspective. Hence, using semi-structured interviews the research recruited 14 participants who had predominantly had PCC. The participants were asked to describe particular sessions of therapy to which they attributed relational depth (Rosanne Knox, 2008). The results show that clients described relational depth in ways that therapists did, signs of aliveness, authenticity, and openness. However, participants also pointed out quite distinct experiences stating that the therapists in the study were holding, accepting and ‘really real’. Most of the clients were able to explain that their therapists gave them more than a professional touch that they expected from their appointments.

This work is also useful in showing the importance of depth in the therapeutic relationship while at the same time keeping an understanding of the connexion between the transmutation of the therapeutic relationship and treatment (Rosanne Knox, 2008). It was disclosed how participants described various levels of relations as the times when they felt secure while expressing their sensitivity or recounting painful events. The results imply that when clients believe that their therapists are authentic and attending to them, the clients invest in the therapy process, as does the therapeutic relationship. Furthermore, the paper describes the consequences of applying the findings to teach the practitioners the approaches that can increase relation depth, which benefits the outcomes of a person-centred counselling. Knowledge of these dynamics may help in further research and practise of therapies where relational properties have to be considered more thoughtfully.

In Research Paper 1, participants’ own perceptions of depth in relation are examined with a merely qualitative approach by conducting semi-structured interviews with clients concerning their personal experiences of person-centred therapy. This method is useful in providing detailed and many-faceted qualitative findings about personal therapeutic episodes.

Research Paper 2: Working in the Present Moment: The Impact of Mindfulness on Trainee Psychotherapists’ Experience of Relational Depth

According to Stuart Baker, 2016, The purpose of this work is to investigate the phenomenology of trainee psychotherapists and the effect of a 5-day mindfulness training on the degree or quality of perceived relatedness. Semistructured interview data were collected from fifteen participants who volunteered for and subsequently engaged in an eight-week MBSR and MBCT programme for therapists. To determine participants’ experiences, eight participants were interviewed after four months of training (Stuart Baker, 2016). The results showed several cued positive effects of mindfulness including personal-social and professional dimensions, with ‘being’ more than ‘doing’ values in therapy. Mindfulness was revealed to enhance the quality of clients’ relations by helping clinic participants to develop more profound relations within therapeutic contexts (Stuart Baker, 2016). This discussion leads to the suggestion that mindfulness may be usefully applied as a support to clinical training, suggesting a process model where ‘therapist personal resonance’ strengthens ‘therapist-client interpersonal resonance.’ Keeping this co-created mindfulness realm not only serves the therapist but also helps clients to be in harmony with themselves. The study underscores the importance of including mindfulness practises in training therapists with a view of enhancing the quality of relationship between the therapist and the client as well as the success of the therapy.

This research also supports nature of mindfulness training in the development of trainee psychotherapists’ capacity to achieve and cultivate relational connexion. Through mindfulness exercises, the participants described enhanced self-compass and regulation of emotions which enhanced their interaction with the clients (Stuart Baker, 2016). This paper implies that growing as a mindful clinician enhances one’s own personal development and helps to foster an improved relationship in the therapeutic process because of the ability to be more present.

Research Paper 2 similarly employs qualitative data, and employs interpretative phenomenological analysis to examine trainee psychotherapists’ experiences of, and changes in, relational depth after the completion of mindfulness training.

Research Paper 3: The Impact of Expanding the Self on the Ability to Work at Relational Depth

According to Katarzyna S. & Adamczyk, 2018, This paper therefore seeks to undertake a critical analysis of relational depth in person-centred therapy and the necessity of research based understanding of how the process of deep relating can be achieved by the therapist. The present research adopts a case study approach that involves the systematic analysis of audio-taped sessions of therapy, supervisors’ notes and the researcher’s diary (Katarzyna S. & Adamczyk, 2018). The emphasis was made on such aspects of therapy as obtaining and discussing the critical incidents regarding therapy sessions and comparing them to other case and supervisions in own therapy. The results suggest that the therapist’s capability to work at relational depth can be improved by the broadening of the self. In particular, it is proposed that relating to multiple aspects of the self during therapeutic interactions contributes to a clinician’s ability to reach relational depth with a client (Katarzyna & Adamczyk, 2018). Here the self-awareness and self-acceptance factors are mentioned in the course of this discussion by claiming that they serve as a cornerstone of a therapist’s ability to form bonds with his or her clients. The results are reviewed by relating them to the theory of configurations of self and accurate symbolization which re-asserts the idea that the nature of development of the therapist is crucial to therapeutic processes. Through this research, rich knowledge is contributed to the field of self-expansion and the way in which themes of relational depth can emerge.

In this paper, the author aims to investigate how the development of the therapist is likely to affect their ability to develop relational depth in therapy. The research, using the case studies, shows that those therapists who practise self-expansion through personal therapy and supervision exhibit more positive emotional availability and empathy while treating patients (Katarzyna S. & Adamczyk, 2018). The study establishes that unconscious understanding turns into a strength as the therapist learns to manage inner customer feelings and enhance the therapeutic relationship.

In Research Paper 3, the participants complete a case study comprising of therapy session recordings, supervision notes, reflective diaries data collection method to analyse how the expansion of the self of the therapist affects his/her capability to work at relational depth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, main distinctions of the quantitative and qualitative approaches can be found in the aim and the utilisation in the field to research anxiety treatments. While quantitative research focuses on numerical values and tangible results it can be used to prove the effectiveness of such treatment as CBT. On the other hand, Qualitative research is more focused on inner perception and experiences, which guarantee investigation of relational aspect in person-centred counselling. Although quantitative analysis results can frequently be generalised, the application of the qualitative research adds value to the cognition of the personal experience, as well as to the therapeutic bond, which are crucial for the improvement of treatment outcomes of the anxiety disorders.

LO2: Personal Reflection on Academic and Professional Development

The use of self-reflection in academic and beginners’ professional development should serve as an act of reflection aiming at personal development by analysing experiences, assets, and opportunities for enhancement. By continuous personal development, I willl strive to improve my knowledge in counselling theories and the contrast between the role of relational depth in person-centred counselling and the other approaches. This reflective practise serves the purpose of locating specific episodes or events as well as help me distance myself from my own preconceptions and ways of seeing in order to accommodate the views and suggestions of others out there This analysis helps me to better understand the learning process across my studies and the profession in counselling as well as planning out my career path.

2.1 Academic Development: Engaging with Research Methodologies

A familiarity of both quantitative and qualitative methods of research has further improve my academic abilities, as it has served as the means to provide structure to my analysis of the literature in counselling. First of all, I did have quite utilitarian perspective on a research, taking into consideration mostly the outcome and ignoring the ways and means for arriving at the outcomes. But I have been able to learn how to find biases in research, evaluate the quality of sources and critically evaluate the studies in terms of their methodological rigour through this assignment.

These changes have been an important part in enhancing my research skills regarding the evaluation of literature. For instance, I have become proactive in trying to learn how the problem being studied dictates its results. I consider whether a quantitative study uses suitable statistical procedures and whether qualitative research adequately captures participants’ experiences. Therefore, I have gained more appreciation in approaching the papers of interest, and I focused only on those papers that offer credible evidence and are in line with the theme of the relational depth in person-centred counselling.

Furthermore, interacting with a variety of research methods has enriched me with a multiplicity of views to define the effectiveness of therapy. I like the fact that quantitative research provides broader conclusions of the treatment effectiveness, and qualitative research enhances my knowledge about patients themselves along with the interactions between them and therapists. Finally, this learning has not only enhanced disciplinary and rigorous academic endeavour but also provides a foundation on which to build future professional practise which involves a more critical interaction with research and its application on counselling.

Discussing the learned academic practice from reading the research papers for LO2

Based on the reading of the research papers, I have better understanding of the academic practice; choosing right research paradigms to investigate concept like relational depth. My eyes were opened to the understanding that interview and case studies for instance, offer thick descriptions as compared to numbers, which quantitative research may conceal. Sincerely interacting with those papers has enhanced my critical evaluation skills in terms of methods used, source selection, and general bias and stronger evidence of presented conclusions. This process has justified the need to be keen and think during the times that the researcher is conducting research activities in academics so as to ensure that the evidence gathered is well analyzed before being implemented.

2.2 Professional Development: Application to Counselling Practice

Identifying the concept of relational depth and a range of therapeutic models including CBT and so called psychodynamic therapy also has had a remarkable impact on my future practise in counselling. When understanding the concept of relational depth the role of relationship in changing client’s lives is highlighted.

This knowledge makes me want to pay attention to empathy, genuineness, and acceptance when dealing with clients, which are important aspects enabling clients to feel comfortable and trusted to make therapy work. Besides, understanding various therapeutic interventions has ensured that am in a position to factor the client’s needs in approaching and handling him or her. It is much easier to select and focus on what may make a client better or worse because choosing various elements of CBT and embracing the search for the reasons behind the client’s problem in psychodynamic therapy acknowledges the fact that some clients may more readily respond to the strict approaches of CBT while other may require the probing nature of psychodynamic therapy.

Knowledge of the research methods helps me in my practise since it assists me in arriving at prudent decisions based on the findings. By subjecting specific techniques used in therapeutic processes to critical analysis, I can work with techniques that proved beneficial for the treatment of certain disorders primarily anxiety ones. Further, the qualitative studies provide me with knowledge about the relational depth that I can apply to my sessions to enhance clients’ connation and consequently positive therapeutic results.

Figure 2: Important Counselling Skills

2.3 Journal Reflection: Key Takeaways and Challenges

Research Paper 1, As Medium of and for a person-centred therapy, from Research Paper 1, I found out that the interactions that clients have are not just the typical ordinary interactions. Such emotional experiences are beneficial to the clients in their therapeutic processes and become part of the clients’ treatment. The difficulty was to grasp how these experiences are constructed in an idiosyncratic manner, meaning that they are not easily transportable between different clients and therapeutic contexts.

In Research Paper 2 about Relationship mindfulness and Relational Depth I examined the function of Self-Awareness in improving therapeutic relationships. The primary focus was on how mindfulness helps therapists to create a ‘being’ state rather than a ‘doing’ state that will facilitate client relationships. The difficulty that I encountered was to determine how such selective, individualised processes can be perfected or made standard for practical use.

In Research Paper 3, the concept was developed that the capacity of a therapist to engage at relational depth is bound up with the process of their own therapeutic development. I learned it helpful when one tries to build own self-awareness because it increases the capacity of understanding clients better. Now, the million dollar question was in how consciously therapist’s graduates of the school learn self-expansion process and yet remain professional. Both papers illustrated the importance of self-awareness and depth necessary to develop a good therapeutic relationship, but the nature of these factors as being self-reflection based creates issues pertaining to reliable repeated measurement.

In order to overcome these challenges, I consulted more formal academic writings, CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme) worksheets, to complete more systematical checklists.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that, going through this assignment has ultimately enriched my knowledge both in class and in the practise. I have gained improved understanding of concerning research methods and their application in assessing the therapies; specifically the relational perspective to person-centred counselling. It has also served to enhance my understanding of critical thinking as well as in my later counselling practise. Whereas the need for critical self-reflection is underlined, its relevance after the present work as the student and the practitioner is stated. Therefore, it can be said that my learning reflection will be a continuous process so that I am always prepared and ready to deliver the best therapeutic service to my clients.

Reference list

Journals

• Amari, N. (2021). On Becoming a Counselling Psychologist: Making Sense of Presence. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 0022167821995371. Retrieved from: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0022167821995371 [Retrieved on: 20.09.24]
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