The match between therapist and client is crucial for learning and healing.
This client/therapist relationship, often referred to as a therapeutic alliance, or goodness of fit, is characterized by mutual trust, respect and good rapport. The quality of the relationship between client and therapist can significantly impact the client’s ability to learn, heal and experience break-throughs.
I personally take the responsibility of finding the best therapist match for my clients very seriously. I have the experience and inside knowledge of different therapists within different programs. As with anyone, therapists have their strengths and weaknesses. I like to get this client/therapist match right the first time.
Why does the client/therapist match matter?
When clients feel understood, supported and connected to their therapist, it enhances the therapeutic process and contributes to positive outcomes.
Temperaments, goals, interests, communication style, and sometimes just simple chemistry are not always a match between the therapist and client. And that is okay. It is the professional’s job to set the stage properly for a good starting foundation. A good starting foundation is a container of trust, safety and respect in addition to a general mutual likability. Believe it or not, this matters.
The quality of the match matters.
Research consistently shows that the quality of the relationship between the therapist and client is one of the primary predictors of client progress. If it’s a bad fit, the client is more likely to be guarded, defensive or have a lack of desire to listen. In this situation, a therapist may also be less likely to be empathic or give the extra effort. As a result, the process with a bad fit would be counter-therapeutic.
What makes a good client/therapist match?
Defining a good client/therapist match is subjective and individualized. Different people have unique preferences and needs. However, there are several factors that contribute to the development of a positive and effective therapeutic relationship:
- Mutual respect, trust and rapport between the therapist and client.
- The client feels emotionally safe.
- They have similar/compatible personalities.
- The communication style of the therapist is in a manner of which the client wants to pay attention.
- The therapist listens more than talks and asks the right questions to drive the conversation forward.
- The therapist understands and respects the client’s culture, making it more likely to create a trusting bond.
- There is good collaboration and flexibility in working together for the client’s healing journey.
- The therapist gives positive regard and empathy towards the client.
- The client feels understood, accepted and supported.
In the same way a matchmaker would not succeed without knowing the personalities of the individuals involved, this also holds true for the client/therapist match. A good fit will result in a successful therapeutic alliance.
For a complimentary discovery call, contact Therapeutic Educational Consulting.
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