A good interaction between therapist and the patient is an important aspect of an effective counseling process. In other terms, it’s hard to recover from treatment if you and your psychiatrist don’t get along; if you don’t click; if you don’t (or can’t) believe them. Now, it’s natural to throw up barriers when you first go into therapy — but it’s your therapist’s task to knock them down, win your confidence, and then lead you through the good path we’ve already described.
You may be thinking how to do it, especially if you’re not one to let strangers in very quickly. Although the strategies vary between therapists and psychologists, the following have been shown to make people feel more relaxed opening up:
1) Help the patient know what to expect from him.
Second, be warm and welcoming from the outset, and explain clearly how this whole thing is going to go down. “From the very first phone call to my clinic, I am trying tirelessly to ensure that the call is received by the office manager or supervisor to ensure that a new client is linked to a human voice,” says Licensed Psychologist Rachel Oppenheimer, owner of Counseling Hive and Upside Rehabilitation and Assessment Centre. “It can be so terrifying and overwhelming to ask for support, that this human contact has helped many clients know that this is why they have selected our practice — because they don’t have to play phone tags or take bravery several times;
2) To lead with modesty.
Therapists should also help their customers more relaxed by balancing out the playing area. “Many therapists have come to believe that they must get it together and direct their clients from a position of experience and strength. While this sounds good, the fact is that we are both imperfect and equally guilty of making mistakes and messing up with our lives. I try to remind myself that I am on an even basis with all my clients; the essence of the relationship is clearly geared towards their treatment, I agree that this kind of philosophy comes through to clients and tends to promote a non-judgmental atmosphere. Them.”
3) Inquire them what makes them more relaxed or awkward.
Another basic approach, which counts for a lot, is to remind people what makes them more relaxed or uncomfortable with therapy. “When you reach me, I ‘m curious about the history of previous counseling. Clients often complain that their former therapist had habits that they didn’t like or thought about in a manner they didn’t like; they also explore culturally appropriate behavior. I don’t want to say that I know how you’re going to be treated. I ‘m talking for this so that I don’t make a false move accidentally.
Several of the clients tell me if they don’t like specific therapeutic methods, and I take note of that. If a patient is totally new to treatment, I’ll tell them a bit about how I work and encourage them to please let me know if I do or say something they consider uneasy or annoying.
4) Go at the pace they prefer.
Julie Williamson, a certified psychologist counselor, says it’s also essential to follow up with the client’s pace: “I’m trying to make my clients feel comfortable going at their pace, not forcing them to open up when I think they should, but working with the information they ‘re giving me, trusting that they’ll feel free to share once they’re prepared. My mission is to develop a comfortable and safe environment by having to listen and walking at their pace, so that when they feel ready to go greater depth, they make those decisions instead of being pressured upon them. It sometimes helps someone to to feel free to share by critically thinking on what I hear them say.
5) Review at the end of the session.
Eventually, at the conclusion of the appointment, check in with the client to see just how they feel and makes them relax into counseling and become more relaxed opening up. “One of the ways I can make my clients more relaxed is by checking in at the end of the session. What did you feel about moving in? What do you feel right now? I even wonder what they’re getting from the treatment. I clarify to them and that I want them to be able to give me updates about how therapy is going because it’s their time and resources, says BetterHelp, a platform for certified professional counselors. As patients open up and talk, I respect their emotions and also use silence as they express intense emotion to encourage them to have room that their loved ones can’t afford. The benefit of counseling is that you can tell your therapist something without a judgmental feeling.