Therapeutic Presence

     "Therapeutic presence is defined as bringing one’s whole self into the encounter with clients, by being completely in the moment on multiple levels: physically, emotionally, cognitively, & spiritually.

     Presence involves 

(1) being fully in contact with one’s self in the moment, while being 

(2) open, receptive, & immersed in what is poignant in the moment, with 

(3) a larger sense of spaciousness & expansion of awareness & perception.

     This grounded, immersed, & expanded awareness is accompanied by 

(4) the intention of being with & for the clients, in service of their healing process.

     The inner receptive state involves therapists’ complete openness to clients’ multidimensional internal world, including their bodily & verbal expressions, as well as openness to their own bodily experience of the moment in order to access the knowledge, professional skill, & wisdom embodied within. Being fully present then allows for an attuned responsiveness that is based on a kinesthetic & emotional sensing of the other’s affect & experience as well as one’s own intuition, skill, & the relationship between.

     Therapeutic presence has been proposed as an essential therapeutic stance. Therapeutic presence can increase the therapist’s listening & attunement skills and provide a more effective way to respond to a client that is right for that person in that moment. Presence also allows the therapist to work at a relational depth, which further deepens the therapeutic relationship so the client can feel open & safe to work with difficult issues."

       Geller SM, Greenberg LS, Watson JC. Therapist and client perceptions of therapeutic presence: the development of a measure. Psychother Res 2010; 20(5): 599-610.

 

 

 

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