Evidence of facilitating the mind body connection through spiritual approaches and making meaning, explaining and informing patients forms an important part of the therapeutic relationship and reflects the dynamic interaction that is a collaborative and inclusive. Research has shown that in the in the field of psychotherapy, the relationship between the client and psychotherapist determines the effectiveness of treatment, more than any other factor (Hill, 1989; Lambert & Barley, 2001). It would seem rational to suggest that this could be extended to other therapies involving a patient practitioner dynamic, such as osteopathy.
Rogers (1961) defines a helping relationship as “a relationship in which one of the participants intends that there should come about, in one or both parties, more appreciation of, more expression of, more functional use of the latent inner resources of the individual”. He outlines three vital areas of importance:
1) Therapist’s genuineness within the helping relationship. He describes the vital importance of the clinician to “freely and deeply” be himself. Not all knowing, all powerful, rigid and controlling figure. The therapist must have insight into him or herself.
2) Unconditional positive regard. This aspect of the relationship involves experiencing a warm acceptance of each aspect of the clients experience as being a part of the client. There are no conditions put on to accepting the client as who they are. The clinician needs to care for the client as who they are as a unique individual. Clinicians should treat the individual not a diagnostic label. It is imperative to accept the client as a unique individual, and where they are at in their life, remembering that diagnoses are not real entities, but individual human beings are. This involves experiencing a warm acceptance of each aspect of the client’s experience as being part of the client. Clinicians need to treat the individual not the problem which comes out of a mutual compassion and understanding of the client’s needs.
3) Empathy. It is essential to enter into the clients private world and understand their thoughts and feelings without judging (1957).
The therapeutic relationship in psychotherapy allows trust and space for healing to occur and facilitates transpersonal experiences which often take the form of a non verbal dimension. This non verbal dimension is described as a belonging and sharing of therapist and client’s feelings and emotions and can be represented in many ways including imagery, intuitions, impressions, bodily sensations, feelings and emotions. Research into the nature of the therapeutic relationship in nursing has also shown that various transpersonal experiences are facilitated, with the main research being focused on intuition as a valid modality for clinical assessment and decision making.