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Non-directivity as a therapeutic stance, and dimension of therapeutic relating

Lundh, Lars-Gunnar LU (2012) In Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies 11(3). p.225-239
Abstract
Abstract in Undetermined
This paper contains an analysis of the concept of nondirectivity, a discussion of some arguments against the possibility of being nondirective, and a concluding argument that nondirectivity/directivity represents a basic dimension of therapeutic relating. First, it is argued that nondirectivity should be seen as an attitude rather than a set of behaviors, and that therapeutic interventions can be either directive or nondirective. Second, three arguments against the possibility of being nondirective are discussed: the impossibility of not influencing clients, the unavoidability of biases, and clients perceiving directivity in the therapist. The suggestion is made that nondirectivity always exists in a context of... (More)
Abstract in Undetermined
This paper contains an analysis of the concept of nondirectivity, a discussion of some arguments against the possibility of being nondirective, and a concluding argument that nondirectivity/directivity represents a basic dimension of therapeutic relating. First, it is argued that nondirectivity should be seen as an attitude rather than a set of behaviors, and that therapeutic interventions can be either directive or nondirective. Second, three arguments against the possibility of being nondirective are discussed: the impossibility of not influencing clients, the unavoidability of biases, and clients perceiving directivity in the therapist. The suggestion is made that nondirectivity always exists in a context of directive influences, and that optimal nondirectivity requires awareness of these. Finally, it is argued that the stance of nondirectivity is more or less important to various therapists’ work, and that nondirectivity/directivity may represent a basic dimension in a potential integrative theory of psychotherapy. (Less)
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author
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
nondirectivity, psychotherapy integration, bias, influence, empathy
in
Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies
volume
11
issue
3
pages
225 - 239
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:84906323565
ISSN
1752-9182
DOI
10.1080/14779757.2012.700284
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
35f128ac-9c34-4a77-83c9-a128cda39346 (old id 2628700)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 09:57:33
date last changed
2022-01-25 18:26:38
@article{35f128ac-9c34-4a77-83c9-a128cda39346,
  abstract     = {{Abstract in Undetermined<br/>This paper contains an analysis of the concept of nondirectivity, a discussion of some arguments against the possibility of being nondirective, and a concluding argument that nondirectivity/directivity represents a basic dimension of therapeutic relating. First, it is argued that nondirectivity should be seen as an attitude rather than a set of behaviors, and that therapeutic interventions can be either directive or nondirective. Second, three arguments against the possibility of being nondirective are discussed: the impossibility of not influencing clients, the unavoidability of biases, and clients perceiving directivity in the therapist. The suggestion is made that nondirectivity always exists in a context of directive influences, and that optimal nondirectivity requires awareness of these. Finally, it is argued that the stance of nondirectivity is more or less important to various therapists’ work, and that nondirectivity/directivity may represent a basic dimension in a potential integrative theory of psychotherapy.}},
  author       = {{Lundh, Lars-Gunnar}},
  issn         = {{1752-9182}},
  keywords     = {{nondirectivity; psychotherapy integration; bias; influence; empathy}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{3}},
  pages        = {{225--239}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies}},
  title        = {{Non-directivity as a therapeutic stance, and dimension of therapeutic relating}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14779757.2012.700284}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/14779757.2012.700284}},
  volume       = {{11}},
  year         = {{2012}},
}