The table describes four clients in psychotherapy. In which client's case is the healing factor called catharsis at work?
| Client | What happens in therapy |
|---|---|
| Meena | In her first sessions, while the therapist asks about her problem, she pours out the grief and worries she has held back for months. |
| Arjun | He keeps improving because his therapist is regularly available to him and is warm and empathic. |
| Farah | An anxious client, she is taught relaxation procedures and helped to restructure her anxious thoughts. |
| Kabir | He comes to therapy keen to change and expects the treatment to make him better. |
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Meena
Option (1) Meena — Correct. Meena pours out held-back feelings in the initial sessions, while her problem is being understood. This emotional unburdening is catharsis, and it helps her heal.
Option (2) Arjun — Incorrect. Arjun is helped by the therapist's regular availability, warmth and empathy. This bond between therapist and client is the therapeutic alliance, a different healing factor.
Option (3) Farah — Incorrect. Relaxation procedures and cognitive restructuring belong to the behavioural and CBT schools. Here healing comes from the techniques adopted by the therapist.
Option (4) Kabir — Incorrect. Motivation for change and expectation of improvement are non-specific factors attributed to the client. They are called patient variables.
NCERT (2026-27): “Factors Contributing to Healing in Psychotherapy … “3. At the outset of therapy while the patient/client is being interviewed in the initial sessions to understand the nature of the problem, s/he unburdens the emotional problems being faced. This process of emotional unburdening is known as catharsis, and it has healing properties.” |