Barrett-Lennard remarks that ‘…although distress may ease quickly pattern change takes time and determined work.’ (The Pathway of Client-Centred Therapy (Paper presented to the First International Conference on Client-Centred and Experiential Psychotherapy, Leuven, Belgium, 1988) 5.) The ‘helping association’ between client and counsellor/psychotherapist in person-centred/ experiential counselling/psychotherapy Barrett-Lennard describes as a ‘personal-working alliance’ (Pathway, 10) which is
‘…not simply present or given but…produced through strenuous application in a mode of searching dialogue…’ – a client ‘…cannot for long coast through a well-practiced repertoire without the process grinding to a halt or becoming visibly pointless.’ (Barrett-Lennard, Pathway, 10-11.)
Furthermore ‘…in a fruitful alliance…the engagement becomes self-propelling for both partners.’ (Barrett-Lennard, Pathway, 11.)