It’s important the client feels engaged right away, in that the therapist feels welcomed and receives dedicated care from the get-go. Once the client and counselor have decided they’re a good match, the counselor can…
therapy
Motivational interviewing is a method counselors use to help their clients work through their feelings and find the motivation to make desired or necessary changes. This technique is meant to take the pressure off and…
A working alliance in therapy, otherwise known as the therapeutic relationship, is simply the relationship that exists between the client and his or her therapist. In this alliance, both parties have the same goal: for…
A key to finding success in therapy is building a positive relationship with your therapist and feeling comfortable enough to open up to them. Counselors use different techniques to help their clients feel more comfortable…
When exploring different options for therapy and therapists, it’s important that you acknowledge the importance of a healthy therapeutic relationship and therefore avoid several types of therapists. The first kind of counselor you should avoid…
Therapists possess and utilize many skills, but a very important response for them to master in their practice is empathetic responding or active listening. Empathic responding is when the counselor clearly communicates the feeling their…
A range of techniques used in emotionally focused therapy help couples (and others) to better understand each other and address issues in their relationship. An emotionally focused therapist, Jennine Estes, identifies her favorite techniques: leaning…
Anybody who has been exposed to a traumatic experience in some capacity can develop PTSD. Symptoms of PTSD can vary from person to person, but affected individuals typically experience hypervigilance, mood changes, and loss of…
Ask Yourself: What Am I Looking to Accomplish? First, ask yourself what you want to accomplish. Do you want to go on an exploration of what happened in your childhood? You may want to find a…
Therapy is becoming increasingly popular and better trusted in our society, but some still wonder: how is it beneficial? And, how exactly will it help me? The answer isn’t simple or clean-cut, as every individual’s experience…
A mental health professional’s ultimate mission is to help his or her clients live their very best lives—which takes patience, understanding, and support. What I mean to say is therapy is a safe place: you don’t…
Religion and spirituality have played major roles in the lives of Black men and women since the days of slavery and before. The connection with God has been significant in helping individuals and families cope with…
