Trust in Therapy
As a therapist, I believe gaining and keeping the trust of my clients to be essential to the therapy process. I spoke with another therapist a few years ago and was surprised to hear him say, “I don’t care if my clients trust me or not.” Since I knew this therapist and respected his work with clients, I can say that he didn’t mean to imply that he purposely damages the trust clients have in him. Still, I was surprised to hear that trust wasn’t that important to him.
Trust is essential in the therapy room. Trust allows the sharing of very personal and sensitive information. Trust brings the client back whether a session went well or not so well. I also firmly believe that the more a client trusts a therapist, the more likely it is that the client will apply what he/she has learned in therapy.
In closing, here is a metaphor to consider. Trust in therapy provides the willingness for a person to approach the door of personal growth, and the motivation to return to that door as many times as needed before moving through that doorway toward the next door.
Have a great day!
