Therapeutic Relationships

The therapeutic relationship is essential to the rehabilitation process for the client. Therapeutic relationships differ from friendships in that the overall goal is to benefit the client, not both parties. In order to develop trust in the therapist's therapeutic relationship with their client, they should follow through with plans, be on time to appointments,  be honest with clients, not overpromise, be cautious when disclosing personal information, discuss client's intervention plans in private, involve the client in the decision making process, and remember to put the client first. Empathy is one of the most important traits the therapist needs to understand the client's feelings. Active listening also makes the client feel valued and listened to.
Through observation hours and personal experience, I have been able to witness many different therapeutic relationships. Some have been life-changing for the client, and some have left the clients feeling like second-rate people who were not valued. When the therapists develops trust with their client and is empathetic and a good listener, the client is much more motivated to get better and return to the occupations that give their life meaning. In therapist/client relationships where the therapist rushes through sessions, just puts the client on an arm bike, and doesn't listen to the needs of the client, the client will end up feeling that occupational therapy is pointless and that their therapist does not care about them or whether or not they get better. Learning about the right type of therapeutic relationship has informed the way that I will interact with my clients as a future occupational therapist.