Clients' experience of bodywork psychotherapy

Abstract

One-hundred and fifty ex-clients of 17 Energy Stream Psychotherapists were sent a questionnaire about their experience of their therapy. Sixty-eight clients completed the questionnaire. Of these 77% were highly satisfied or satisfied with their therapy. The frequency of use of some key Reichian psychotherapy techniques was explored. They were found to be used relatively frequently with at least 75% of the clients and rated as helpful by most clients. Also investigated were Rogers' core conditions, which were found not to be present as often as expected. The possible impact of transference on this is discussed. Some non-specific factors such as feeling listened to, or being given feedback, were generally found to be present and valued. Respondents also answered various qualitative questions about their experience of the therapy, including being asked to provide a metaphor for it. What emerges is a picture of an articulate, informed group of therapy consumers often with previous and subsequent experience of therapy. The questionnaire, which combines a mixture of quantitative and qualitative items, can be used with suitable modification to explore other clients' experience of bodywork psychotherapy.