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Section I. Theory and Practice: Clinical

Cycles of Psychotherapy

Pages 200-207
Published online: 28 Dec 2017
 
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This article proposes a system for classifying psychotherapy, counseling, and supervision in terms of a cycle of four phases. The author describes each phase and the boundary condition that indicates the client is ready to move to the next phase, as well as the tasks of therapist and client at each phase. The effects of premature passage to the next phase of treatment or termination at an inappropriately early phase are also discussed. The phases, with their boundary conditions in brackets, are: contact (contract), content (decision or redecision), consolidation (integration), and conclusion (termination or reengagement).

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Author information

Gordon Hewitt

Gordon Hewitt, Ph.D., is a Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst (Clinical) in private practice. He divides his time between seeing clients, providing supervision, and running training events.