How Does Depth Therapy Work?

This orientation emphasizes the therapeutic relationship, which is consistently shown to be a strong predictor of better outcomes in therapy. This is why “fit” is so important. Fit between a therapist and client refers to a sense of trust, rapport, and safety that underlies collaboration. One major benefit of this type of work is that clients maintain their growth and continue to improve even after treatment is complete (Shedler, 2010).

This approach explores patterns often developed in early life (i.e., people pleasing) that can become unconscious and automatic. Using the therapeutic relationship as a workshop, we consider alternative emotional and behavioral responses. Many of the issues that bring people to therapy are symptomatic of deeper relational patterns and beliefs (“If I don’t make them happy, the’ll leave.”) Unless that belief is unlearned on an emotional level in the context of a real relationship, then even the best boundary-setting scripts will likely fail.