Psychotherapy is a professional helping process through which an experienced human services worker (therapist) empowers, guides, and collaborates with a person seeking help (client) to implement meaningful change and growth during times of transition, psychological stress, or emotional distress. The therapy process, while somewhat flexible, moves through four major stages: relationship building and assessment, goal setting and contracting, intervention, and termination and follow-up. Preparation The preparation for therapy depends on each therapist's individual preferences. However, …showed first 75 words of 788 total…

…showed last 75 words of 788 total…strictly separate from the other stages. The client may move back and forth among the stages at any given time, making all stages of the process continuous. The therapist constantly gathers information, assesses the client's situation, and does intervention work with the client. The termination stage may even lead back to more assessment and intervention. Therefore, the therapy process does not end until the therapist and the client agree upon final conclusion of their relationship