Musings on Clinical Practice - Abreaction (Not 'Fixing the Client') is the Key

In clinical practice, with time and supervision, I have noticed and realized that as therapists we try very hard to ‘fix the client’s life,’ whether this comes from our own insecurities or a need to see quick change. But, what we should learn and work on is ‘abreaction,’ providing the client the space to express his/her emotions rather than ‘fixing’ them. Because, what isn’t wrong, cannot be fixed. Expressing emotions isn’t wrong, in fact the process of abreaction also helps in understanding whether the negative emotions are towards self, or towards others, or both; and the realization of this and where it comes from, is sometimes enough!