Activity 5: Analyzing Therapeutic Dynamics in Alicia and Jim's Case

This assignment presents a case study analysis of Alicia and Jim's therapeutic relationship. It explores Alicia's perceptions of Jim as a helper and how her feelings fluctuate between appreciation and frustration. The analysis highlights the importance of transparency and positive feelings in the patient-helper dynamic, noting that Alicia views Jim's authority as beneficial. It further reflects on how a helper should foster a transparent, positive, and supportive environment by utilizing effective communication skills, active listening, and therapeutic relationship development. The goal is to empower the client, normalize their experiences, and redirect their thought processes towards positivity, ultimately reducing stress and enhancing their self-efficacy. The assignment references the importance of therapeutic relationships and client empowerment in managing mental health challenges, emphasizing the helper's role in delivering improved care.

Running head: ACTIVITY 5
Activity 5
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1
ACTIVITY 5
Part 1
Based on Alicia and Jim’s case it can be stated that the Alicia finds Jim as a helper who
was ideal, seer that is expert and nurturer as well. However, sometimes she also felt neglected as
well. Hence, she was frustrated as well though she has related her feelings more closely to the
earlier ones rather than the later one.
Part 2
As per the chapter and the case of Alicia it has been seen that the transparency of the
patient is related to the positive feelings. The patient feels the helper that is Jim has an authority
and also finds him very helpful for her. She feels this authority of Jim as a Godly structure for
her and also hinds it effective as she was feeling easy and burden less after the sessions with Jim.
Hence, based on her views I can reflect that the ‘authority issue’ is not present here rather she
experienced positive outcome from the authority of Jim.
Discussion 3
As a helper I can reflect that the conversation with the client should be transparent and
also focused on the positive outcome of the client. Thus, I can also state that the factors of the
improved care delivery should be focused on the therapeutic relationship development with the
client. Moreover, it can be stated that the responsibility of the helper is to develop or improve the
relationship with the client by implementing positive communication skills and also listening to
the client actively. The listening and communication should be focused on letting the client feel
comfortable and secure as well. Thus, I can reflect that the as helper I should let the client know
that the issues he or she is facing is not specific to her by showing examples of similar
conditions. Moreover, I should help the client to find different viewpoint to think and change the
thought process as well. Hence, it is needed to find another way to divert the thought of the client

2
ACTIVITY 5
for positivity development. On the other hand, by implementing all these factors the helper
should make the client feel that the experience of the client is normal and common as well. This
way as a helper I can develop the positive mental state of the client and this can effectively
reduce the stress or the depression of the client to some extent. Thus, a helper should focus on
the effective communication and therapeutic relationship development with the client and also
focus on delivering improved care to the client as well (Easterbrook and Meehan 2017). In this
context, I can also reflect that therapeutic relationship and also making the client empowered
about the situation would lead to the effective management of the situation (Kastrani, Deliyanni-
Kouimtzis and Athanasiades 2017). Moreover, it can also develop the self efficacy of the client
and help the helper to develop experience as well.

3
ACTIVITY 5
References
Easterbrook, C.J. and Meehan, T., 2017. The therapeutic relationship and cognitive behavioural
therapy: A case study of an adolescent girl with depression.
Kastrani, T., Deliyanni-Kouimtzis, V. and Athanasiades, C., 2017. Women as counselling and
psychotherapy clients: Researching the therapeutic relationship.