People often enter therapy because they experience emotional or psychological ‘suffering’ in their life. As therapists’ our goal is to relieve suffering.  However, what does ‘suffering’ actually mean?

Is ‘suffering’ based more on behavior, emotions, thoughts, or trauma from childhood? Often the hope is that therapy can correct the above symptoms, merge ‘parts’, or roleplay the client toward different solutions to help the client get beyond their suffering. Clients who suffer, but are motivated to get beyond their pain are easier to work with. .

But what if the client’s suffering is so great, that they do not even know the degree and depth of their emotional pain?  Is it possible to reach even those who avoid or are unmotivated to cooperate in therapy?

In this podcast we will explore the central aspect and underlying dynamic that leads to suffering. We will also identify what therapy needs to accomplish in order to bring true relief to both motivated and unmotivated clients.

Video: Carl Rogers with Richie who is ‘coasting through’

Roleplay – I want to stop eating cake…