Love and the Therapeutic Alliance: Deepening our Work with Clients and Ourselves

In his classic work The Road Less Traveled, Scott Peck described psychotherapy as “an act of love.” Yet therapists often receive (and express) conflicting messages around the expression of love for, and with, our clients. This session begins with the premise that the therapeutic encounter often begins with an injury or misunderstanding around the meaning and experience of love. As such, regardless of what method we use in working to heal the mind, body, and spirit, we must also shift from thinking about our client to feeling with them. This can take place through heart-centred practices such as intentionality, movement, chanting, and writing. Our time together is an invitation to honour the love within ourselves and the sacred space between us and our clients. In this experiential session, you’ll:

• Explore the healing potential of the non-physical aspects of love, including trust, surrender, connection, companionship, forgiveness, and hope.
• Experience the use of heart-centred approaches in guiding clients to expand and a life of deeper loving acceptance of themselves and others.
• Share experiences of love and loving service in the safety of other therapists.
• Honour the practice of psychotherapy as both an act of love and a spiritual encounter.