Therapist Limits in Person-Centred Therapy

Lisbeth Sommerbeck is a clinical psychologist, accredited as a specialist in psychotherapy and supervision by the Danish Psychological Association. Since 1974 and until she retired in 2011 she was employed in Danish psychiatry, where the bulk of her work consisted in psychotherapy, supervision, consultation and teaching. She has written books and articles about various aspects of client-centred therapy and in 2002 she initiated the Danish Carl Rogers Forum.

• Introduction1. Limits of therapeutic competenceLimits and congruenceLimits in the therapist's experience of empathic understandingWhen feeling out of contact with the clientWhen the therapist is the target of extreme affectsWhen the therapist misses a red threadWhen empathic understanding is difficult to communicateLimits in the therapist's experience of unconditional positive regardLimits of acceptance and therapist transparencyHelpful ways of thinking that promote acceptanceContractual limits on unconditionally positive regard2. Limit settingThe essence of limit setting in person-centred therapySome common limit-setting issuesLimits with respect to suicidal behaviorLimits with respect to violent behaviourIdiosyncratic limits3. Contextual limitsA personal history of being a non-expert on clients in an expert's settingWhen the therapist is free to practise fully person-centredAssessing and diagnosingThe end of being a non-expert on clients in an expert's settingThe insidious contagion of contextual rulesLimits on number of sessions4. Limits as 'time out'Limits to answering client questionLimits to therapist self-expressionLimits to extra-therapeutic relationships with clients5. Limits and referrals6. Finishing commentsReferences

Sommerbeck brings her depth of experience and theoretical clarity to this book in which she discusses the myriad ways in which the therapist's limits are encountered in the practice of therapy, illustrating her clear theoretical responses with transcripts of examples. Her ethical perspective shines through, along with her humility and acceptance of her own idiosyncrasies. This book will be an invaluable tool for students and experienced therapists to consider further our own ethical stances with respect to therapist limits. Dr Gillian Proctor, Associate Professor in Counselling, University of Nottingham, UK; Lisbeth Sommerbeck combines a wealth of clinical experience, in-depth theoretical knowledge and critical thinking to an area that can present person-centred therapists with complex issues and dilemmas. She lays out clearly the many challenges and controversies with particular attention to contexts and how they influence therapeutic practice. In so doing, she enables therapists to approach their work with greater self-awareness, self-respect and integrity. This insightful and helpful book demonstrates ultimately reflecting a deep respect and care for the client. Dr Rachel Freeth, Psychiatrist and person-centred counsellor; Lisbeth Sommerbeck as ever gives us insightful and razor sharp analysis of the topic and provides learning for all those interested in this approach to helping. Through this short text, Lisbeth has made a significant contribution to a little-addressed area of person-centred therapy theory and practice. Dr David Murphy, Programme Leader, MA Person-Centred Experiential Counselling and Psychotherapy, University of Nottingham; This is a wonderful little book and I recomend it wholeheartedly for trainees and for established therapists as well. Every therapist should own a copy. Mort Smith reviewed in Person-Centred Quarterly.