A critical look at relational depth: repetitive and incompatible with the person-centered approach

Abstract

In recent years, the topic of ‘relational depth’ has attracted the attention of researchers and practitioners. This paper aims to critically examine Mearns and Cooper’s relational depth model. We question whether relational depth is an advancement to the practice and theory of the person-centered approach. We describe how there are two different understandings of what relational depth means. The first, despite differences in terminology, is essentially descriptive of person-centered therapy and theory. In contrast, the second is a version in which relational depth has become unanchored from its person-centered origins, encouraging a more instrumentalised approach to therapy. We conclude that the existence of these two different understandings has led to confusion rather than advancement. Relational depth by the first understanding is simply repetitive of the person-centered approach, and by the second, it is incompatible. We recommend that future researchers clarify which of these understandings informs their use of the term.