What does immediacy in therapy involve?

Immediacy in therapy primarily refers to the therapist's focus on the current dynamics and relationship happening between the client and the therapist. This approach allows the therapist to address what is happening in the moment and how the client feels about it. By focusing on the immediate relationship, the therapist can help the client identify patterns, reactions, and emotional responses that may be reflective of other relationships or situations in the client's life. This technique fosters a deeper awareness and understanding of the client's feelings and behaviors in real time, promoting more effective communication and healing within the therapeutic context.

Discussing future goals or focusing on past experiences, while important therapeutic processes, do not tap into the immediacy of the present moment in the client-therapist relationship, which is essential for building rapport and facilitating a deeper therapeutic alliance. Sharing therapeutic techniques, while useful at times, also diverges from the primary focus on the present relationship dynamics that immediacy emphasizes.