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(p. 150) Inspiring Hope and Change 

(p. 150) Inspiring Hope and Change
Chapter:
(p. 150) Inspiring Hope and Change
Author(s):

Ann F. Garland

DOI:
10.1093/med-psych/9780197544716.003.0012
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date: 02 July 2022

This chapter highlights the healing art of therapy, describing essential common factors in all effective therapy, namely positive expectations and a strong therapeutic alliance between therapist and client(s). Therapists are encouraged to boost a client’s hope for improvement by building positive expectations about the benefits of therapy. This includes conveying confidence about the effectiveness of the specific therapeutic approach and explicitly discussing what therapy will entail. Several examples of the power of expectations are provided as illustrations, including a discussion of the placebo effect as a biomedical example. In contrast, examples of how healers have exploited clients’ positive expectations by selling fraudulent treatments are also discussed to raise awareness of the privilege and power of the healer role. The chapter concludes with a thorough discussion of the power of the working alliance between therapist and client, including advice about how to build a strong, trusting relationship.

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