Counselling; Contemporary Humanistic Counselling Theory. Outcome 2 Essay

Counselling; Contemporary Humanistic Counselling Theory. Outcome 2 - Essay Example However, for a relationship to achieve intimacy, the partners need to be open and authentic with their behavior and thinking (Feltham, 1999, P.187). As intimacy comes from sharing the deepest and most personal feelings and thoughts, Berne (1964) says that it is a desirable state not only in personal relationships but also in counselling (Feltham, 1999, P.187). As intimacy in relationship is based on trust, openness and authenticity, it makes a relationship fulfilling by bringing partners close without practicing any barrier. Because of this nature of intimacy, it may be said that a relationship is successful only when it is able to achieve intimacy (Feltham, 1999, P.187). According to Solomon(1989), many clients seek counselling and therapy so that they can make their life better by making their relationships more fulfilling (Feltham, 1999, P.187). The importance of intimacy is not only limited to personal relationships but also in a therapeutic relationship (Feltham, 1999, P.187). I ntimacy between a therapist and the client is important as it helps in encouraging the client to open up, be receptive for therapy and develop the most important aspect in therapeutic relationship which is ‘trust’. These qualities of intimacy has made intimacy the fundamental prerequisite of humanistic counseling and in fact, achievement of intimacy in therapeutic relationship is considered one of the important goals of that relationship (Feltham, 1999, P.187). In humanistic counseling, intimacy is considered as a positive concept as it makes the counselling successful (Feltham, 1999, P.188). However, a client can develop intimacy in therapeutic relationship only when there is positive encouragement and support from the counsellor. A