The Therapy Show: Behind Closed Doors Podcast

Podcast Hosts

• Bob Cook
• Jackie Jones

Episode Focus

• Advantages and Disadvantages of Contracting in the Therapy Process

Importance of Contracting

• Central to Transactional Analysis (TA) psychotherapy
• Provides structure and clarity in therapy sessions

Types of Contracts

1. Business/Administrative Contracts

• Components:
  • Costs/Fees: Different fee structures for therapy (e.g., low-cost therapy vs. standard rates)
  • Payment schedules: Weekly, monthly, or annual payment options
  • Policies on holidays, cancellations, and missed sessions
  • Details like emergency contacts, GP information
• Advantages:
  • Creates a legal framework and boundary for the service
  • Provides transparency and safety for both client and therapist
• Considerations:
  • Some clients may withhold information, like GP address

2. Treatment Contracts

• Focus:
  • Client's psychological goals and changes desired
  • Outcome-focused agreement
• Types:
  • Soft Contracts: Vague, exploratory goals (e.g., explore depression)
  • Hard Contracts: Specific, outcome-oriented goals
• Advantages:
  • Clarity and commitment on goals
  • Transparency and empowerment for clients
  • Builds strong therapeutic alliance and provides safety
• Disadvantages:
  • Potential for misunderstanding contract terms between therapist and client
  • Risk of clients adapting to therapist's expectations rather than their genuine goals
  • May predetermine therapeutic journey, missing emergent issues

Addressing Contract Challenges

• Importance of reviewing and adapting contracts as therapy progresses
• Importance of co-creation between therapist and client
• Allowing room for emergent issues while having an overarching goal

Discussion Points

• Debate: Structured vs. emergent therapeutic processes
• Happy medium approach: Combining overarching goals and sessional flexibility
• Potential empowerment through client involvement in treatment planning

Summary

• Contracts serve as a guiding framework in therapy, providing clarity and safety.
• It's crucial to balance structure with flexibility to allow for emergent client needs.
• The contract should be revisited and adjusted as necessary to remain relevant.