Therapeutic alliance accounts for 7.5% of the variability in outcomes, coming in third after goal consensus and empathy. However, I’d argue that goal consensus and empathy are part of the therapeutic relationship. So if you remember anything, remember that what matters most is the relationship.
When has someone shown you great empathy? Was it mixed with compassion, or separate?
When do you most feel safe and connected in your interactions with clients?
What are your goals for your clients? What do you hope they get out of working with you? Which direction do you hope they move in? How do you hope they experience your sessions together?
Here’s what I want for you. I want you to see yourself as an appreciative ally, a co-conspirator, a fellow traveler and all the other roles we take, yes…but I also want you to see yourself as a leader. And in particular, the leader in any clinical interactions you have.
Something to keep in mind as we go about assessing, diagnosing, and treatment planning, is the importance of adapting our work to our client’s culture and identity. Irvin Yalom believed we should create a new treatment for every single client, and I kind of agree.
My goal for this month is that you are able to navigate the system which exists, including the system of assessing and diagnosing with the DSM. I also hope you’re able to critically think about it, know its flaws and shortcomings, and be able to discern when it’s a help or hindrance for your client.
Our work is incredibly vulnerable. With this comes the opportunity for connection and deep, meaningful healing (for ourselves and others); but it also can bring up old wounds, self-criticism/judging, the risk of emotional exposure and everything else. The antidote? Self-compassion.
It’s your turn to reflect on how well you are eliciting feedback, and what your own beliefs are with it.
You know, YOU have a huge effect on the outcomes your clients experience. Let’s look at the factors that put the odds in your favor, including figuring out who you work best with, and improving your own deliberate practice.
How do you learn about oppression, privilege and power? What are your go-to resources? I hope you’ll come to group ready to share at least a blurb from a favorite resource.
Congruence is often something that is socialized out of us starting in middle school (or sooner), and definitely in grad school. So it’s wonderful to know that practicing it makes us better at what we do, and make our client’s outcomes much more achievable. It’s an invitation, permission, to show up more fully as our selves as it relates to and serves the client.
