The Client-Therapist Relationship And Its Impact on You
Some of the most common feedback I hear from new clients is that their previous therapist either felt like they were speaking with a friend who did not offer enough therapeutic intervention, or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, that their therapist was not easy for them to connect with - they were someone nodding in a chair.
Because we heal wounds through healthy relationships with each other, finding a therapist you can connect with is a critical part of your success in accomplishing your therapeutic goals. But how do you do this when you're seeking a new therapist?
When this topic comes up, I encourage people to first ask their support systems for reputable recommendations for therapists. But please be aware, just as with all things in life, what one person likes another may not. If this does not produce any promising leads, take your search to online platforms to connect with providers licensed in your state. Keep an eye out for those who offer free consultation phone calls to get a feel for the provider and to see if they might be a good fit for your needs before committing to your first session.
While speaking with these prospective providers during your consultation phone call, please advocate for your needs. Ask about their approach to rapport building, their therapeutic approaches, and their specialties. As you speak with them, listen to the way they communicate. Do they practice reflective listening? Are they holding space for you and your questions? Do they seem eager to get off the phone? Are they offering thoughtful insight about their therapeutic approaches? The answers to those questions will likely indicate what your next step will look like: Decide to schedule your first session with the therapist, or go back to the drawing board. If the answer is the latter, please do not feel badly - a good therapist will use that as helpful content for self-reflection. Your only job in this dynamic is to prioritize your therapeutic needs.
At Greene Life Counseling, LLC, I specialize in rapport building, meeting my clients where they are emotionally, being attuned to my clients’ specific needs and goals, matching my clients’ processing paces, and using reflective listening to ensure that they feel heard and understood. I find natural ways to implement therapeutic interventions and often assign homework that carries the interventions outside of the therapy session and into real life to help my clients feel confident that they are working toward their goals.
If you are in the states of Pennsylvania or Kansas and you have struggled to connect with a previous therapist, you have felt undersupported, or this is your first experience with therapy, please reach out via the Contact Me link on this page - I’d love to support you! And if you're a new therapist (in any state) and want to connect about strategies for fostering these critical elements for a successful therapy dynamic, I'd love to connect.
