The Client/Therapist Relationship

The therapist and client relationship is important in effective therapy. The therapeutic relationship must be built upon before any technique and theory will be effective. Communicating real empathy and showing a genuine interest in the client will begin a solid therapeutic foundation. However, the therapist must “have the ability to stay outside the system while maintaining some emotional attachment to its members” (Patterson, Williams, Edwards, Chamow, & Grauf-Grounds, 2009, p. 107). This paper reviews and critiques an interview I recorded of a couple that pertains to clutter building up around the house. The goal of this activity was to seek out information using various questioning techniques and basic interviewing skills, and then write a paper critiquing this writer’s performance.

Basic Interviewing Skills

Basic interviewing skills include the therapist attending or joining with the client. This behavior includes orienting oneself physically and psychologically with the client. The therapist must practice these skills to build on the therapeutic relationship. Successful joining with the client begins with making the client feel understood, respected and cared for by attending to what the client is saying, acknowledging what is being said by the nodding of the head, and exhibiting appropriate body language throughout the session. Joining should begin at the moment of contact with the client. The therapist must immediately make an effort to put the client at ease by listening and maintaining good eye contact. Successful joining gives the therapeutic relationship a good foundation. However, unsuccessful joining may make the client feel unable to confide or trust in the therapist or therapeutic relationship.

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... 1997). Ranking questions require the client to rank others, based on various qualities. And lastly, rating questions provide the therapist with an estimate of how the client perceives something based on a scale of 1 to 10.

This has been an informative lesson and a wonderful class. I have learned so much about therapy and myself. I am looking forward to working with others and practicing the skills I have learned throughout this course.

Works Cited

Brown, J. E. (1997, January, 1997). The question cube: a model for developing question repertoire in training couple and family therapists [Journal]. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 23(1), 27-40.

Patterson, J., Williams, L., Edwards, T. M., Chamow, L., & Grauf-Grounds, C. (2009). Essential skills in family therapy from the first interview to termination (2 ed.). New York, NY: The Guilford Press.