4.2 Establish and maintain an effective therapeutic relationship Flashcards
Employ empathy, respect, and authenticity.
As an Art Therapist incorporating empathy, respect and representing oneself authentically is an essential step in building a therapeutic relationship. Therapists maintain objectivity and allow clients to express themselves free from judgement in a safe and trusting space
Establish rapport
Practicing the above-mentioned elements of empathy, respect and authenticity along with providing a kind and receptive demeanor with healthy boundaries works to build rapport.
Demonstrate awareness of the impact of the client’s
context on the therapeutic process.
Client context informs the therapist and the therapeutic process to match the client’s strengths and meet the client where they are at.
Demonstrate sensitivity to the setting in which therapy takes place
Therapeutic setting conveys a great deal, maintaining a professional, diverse, welcoming space works to build rapport by providing a safe space. The space should reflect the respect for the therapeutic process and provide privacy to ensure confidentiality.
Assume non-judgmental stance.
Focusing on just the facts and not leaping to interpretations helps to maintain a non-judgmental position.
Explain theoretical concepts in terms the client can
understand.
There are several ways I convey theoretical concepts to clients during the initial phase of therapy. Following humanistic centered therapy, I share with the clients the broad strokes such as keeping the focus on the “here and now” with efforts targeted to attaining self-actualization, self-realization and self-responsibility. This therapy also incorporates empathetic listening, authenticity and non-judgmental or interpretive principles.
Foster client autonomy.
Fostering client autonomy demonstrates a confidence and trust in the client’s inner strengths and is an integral aspect of maintaining healthy therapist client boundaries.
Maintain appropriate therapeutic boundaries,
including defining clear boundaries of response to client’s requests or demands.
When working with children I experience many tests of boundaries. Typically, the areas tested, involve the following; clients wanting more time, materials or closer proximity or relationship to the therapist. When managing materials, I ensure clients have what they need but discourage excessive waste. Clients wanting additional time can be accommodated but if this becomes an ongoing issue I would work with the client to establish adjustments to our routine to avoid feeling incomplete at the end of a session. When clients ask personal questions my response is “Isn’t that interesting, I wonder why “x” is important for you to know about me”
Take all reasonable measures to safeguard physical and emotional safety of client during clinical work.
Reasonable measure to safeguarding clients emotional and physical safety would be obtained by following the guidelines and standards of the Health and Safety Act (HSA), the CRPO and the Canadian Art Therapy Association. (CATA)
Employ effective skills in observation of self, the
client and the therapeutic process.
It is important to employ effective skills in self-observation, in the client and the therapeutic process to be aware of counter transference and vicarious trauma. Clients can assign past feelings and thoughts onto the therapist. While positive transference may contribute to the therapeutic process assuming the therapist is aware and interprets the implications, on the other hand, issues of countertransference can be damaging. Countertransference occurs when the therapist projects thoughts or feelings from their own experience on to the client which can damage the therapeutic relationship and supervision may provide a venue in which to work through this issue.
Demonstrate dependability.
Dependability is a measure of a therapist availability, reliability, safety (including avoiding dual relationships), confidentiality and consistency. Conducting business in a timely professional manner with respect and regard for client’s rights are elements of a dependable practice.
