The Trust Code of Psychological Counseling: Why Does the First Meeting Determine Treatment Outcomes? Psychologists Reveal Secrets to Building Therapist-Client Relationships

Importance of Therapist-Client Relationship

Folks! Today let's talk about the most important thing in the early stages of psychological counseling—how therapists and clients build relationships. The relationship between therapist and client has a huge impact on treatment effectiveness throughout the counseling process.

Research shows that good therapeutic relationships not only improve counseling outcomes but also reduce patient dropout rates. Poorly established therapeutic relationships often lead to client non-cooperation, naturally diminishing counseling effectiveness. Although psychological counselors know this relationship is important, exactly how to establish good therapeutic relationships in the first few sessions has never had a clear answer.

Research Method Revealed

This study used interpersonal process recall method, recording and interviewing 12 pairs of psychological counselors and clients during their 3rd and 5th sessions. Specifically, this method involves recording therapists and clients during treatment, then having them separately watch the recordings to recall their feelings and thoughts at the time, followed by interviews.

Researchers recruited 12 therapists and their clients, including clinical psychologists and psychiatrists with different counseling methods. Clients varied in age, gender, and psychological issues like depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, etc.

Two Relationship Patterns

Researchers found therapeutic relationships can be divided into two main categories:

**Beneficial Therapeutic Relationship**: Within the first five sessions, clients and therapists quickly establish trust, allowing clients to safely face their problems with therapists, with counseling proceeding smoothly.

For example, some clients initially strongly resist psychological counseling, worried therapists won't understand or help them. But during treatment, particularly attentive therapists detect these emotions and work to make clients feel safe.

**Poor Therapeutic Relationship**: These clients remain troubled by fear and shame throughout counseling, unable to cooperate properly with therapists. Some clients fear judgment and don't tell therapists the truth; others feel small, foolish, and particularly inferior in the therapeutic relationship.

Key Influencing Factors

**Sense of Security**: When clients first enter counseling, they're certainly filled with various worries and fears. If therapists can make patients feel safe at this point, counseling can proceed smoothly.

**Shame**: Many clients initially feel they shouldn't be in counseling or that their problems are shameful. This shame acts like a wall between clients and therapists.

**Therapist Competence**: Clients want therapists to be professional and competent, providing effective help. But if therapists overly display their abilities or use unsuitable methods, it can backfire.

**"Togetherness" Feeling**: Thetacit understandingand deep connection between therapist and client. Clients particularly value therapist authenticity—if therapists can interact like friends, chatting and laughing with clients, making them feel warmth and care, clients feel especially secure.

Practical Guidance

**For Therapists**: In early counseling stages, focus more on clients' emotions, using your warmth and authenticity to win client trust. Don't start with big theories or rush to use various treatment methods—first making clients feel your care and respect is most important.

**For Clients**: Don't be too shy or afraid—since you've chosen psychological counseling, trust your therapist. If you have any thoughts or feelings during counseling, be sure to tell your therapist promptly.

**For General Public**: Learn more about psychological counseling knowledge, understanding relationship importance. If someone around you seeks counseling later, don't look at them strangely—give them more support and understanding.

Hope today's shared content helps everyone understand psychological counseling better, and hope everyone values their mental health—if you truly encounter problems, bravely seek help!