The Therapeutic Relationship is a key aspect to successful outcomes for clients in therapy.

This relationship is a unique alliance that is formed between yourself and the counsellor. It’s a space where you are able to express yourself freely without feeling the need to filter out what you think or feel.

We often do this in our everyday relationships because we fear being judged by others or that we might upset them or hurt their feelings.

The relationship with your counsellor is impartial as they do not have associations with your past or external relationships.

When you first speak to or meet your counsellor for the first time there should be a sense that the counsellor cares, has warmth and compassion and that they are genuine and empathic. It’s important that you feel heard and not judged.

All of these core characteristics will help you to build trust in the counsellor, the therapeutic relationship and the process of therapy.

The counsellor should be open to answering any questions you might have when you first meet and throughout the counselling process.

Counselling is a space where we can just be ourselves, who we are and where we are right now.

Where else in our everyday lives can we find such a space?

Irving Yalom is quoted as saying:

“It’s the relationship that heals, the relationship that heals, the relationship that heals-my professional rosary.”

Irvin D. Yalom, Love's Executioner

The most important aspect for you as a client is finding a counsellor that you are able to relate to. This will help you to heal and make changes so you can move forward in life.

If you feel counselling could help you please contact me for a free of charge no obligation 20 minute telephone call to see how I could help you.

Counselling is an investment in yourself because you matter!