Relationships are one of the most important aspects of mental health care. The relationship between you and your mental health treatment team will be crucial to your success in treatment. It may not be unusual to hear mental health professionals ask their clients what they think about them as a person because they want to know if their personalities mesh well with each other.
Mental health professionals can play a crucial role in your recovery, but they may not be able to help you if you do not learn how to build positive relationships with them. What are some essential aspects of building positive relationships with mental health professionals?
Creating Trust
Finding a mental health professional you trust is one of the most critical steps in building a successful treatment plan. Trust is an essential part of working with a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist, but it can take time to establish.
When you first meet a mental health professional, they will likely ask you to share some personal information about yourself or your situation. This can be intimidating for some people, especially if this is your first experience in therapy or you’ve had bad experiences with other mental health professionals.
However, it’s important to remember that sharing information helps build trust between you and your treatment team. It ultimately leads to better treatment outcomes and more effective communication between professionals and clients.
Trust builds when both parties communicate openly with each other. Therapists are trained professionals who have studied years’ worth of research on how people interact with one another. They should be able to help guide conversations during sessions so as not only to provide insight into specific problems but also to encourage active participation throughout sessions.
Communication
Communicating well with a mental health professional is essential to your success. Do they listen carefully and ask questions that allow you to expand on what you’re saying? Does their body language indicate that they respect your opinions and feelings? Are they receptive to feedback from you, or do they make assumptions about what’s best for them?
The mental health professional and client relationship come down to trust and communication, which may be easier for some than others. If a relationship feels emotionally safe and respectful, it’s much more likely to be positive.
Working as a Team
You should feel comfortable working with your therapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist. While they need to be able to clearly communicate their thoughts and feelings about the problems you’re facing, they should also be willing to work with you as a team. This means they’re open to collaborating with you if it is time to discuss treatment, not just making unilateral decisions.
They should also be willing to discuss alternative solutions if the first plan doesn’t work out or isn’t suitable for your needs. A good mental health professional will only try things that they think will help in some way. However, if this approach isn’t working out, they may suggest another plan of action instead of letting things go on indefinitely without any changes being made.
Mutual Respect
As you begin to work closely with your mental health professional, you may find that they are not the person you thought they were. If a person shows disrespect towards you, it is crucial that you let them know how this makes you feel.
A mental health professional should be respectful of your concerns and open to listening to any ideas or suggestions that might help improve your relationship. They should also be willing to answer any questions or concerns that come up during sessions, as well as explain things in ways that make sense for both parties involved.
The best mental health professionals will always strive toward creating an environment where everyone feels respected, comfortable, and safe discussing whatever issues may arise during treatment. This way, everyone can benefit from working together toward better mental health outcomes.
Finding the Right Mental Health Professional
Shopping around for the right mental health professional for you and your needs is okay. You may not be comfortable with one therapist or other mental health professionals, and that’s okay. There are many options available; it’s important to give yourself time to find the right fit.
You should also remember that it’s okay if you don’t bond with your therapist or other mental health professionals; it doesn’t mean anything is wrong. Like any relationship, some work better than others, and sometimes it’s best to end things on good terms rather than stay in an unhealthy relationship because of guilt or obligation.
Don’t be afraid to take the time to find the right mental health professional. It’s essential to do your homework, but even more importantly, it’s vital that you feel like you can work with a mental health professional and trust their judgment.
If you find someone who seems like a good fit for what you need, then it’s likely worth taking them up on their offer for an initial consultation so you can decide whether working together would benefit both parties involved. At Acera Health, we take great pride in matching our clients with the best mental health professionals.
We want to create lasting relationships to offer you the best possible care. Our facility wants you to feel comfortable and heard during your treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health care, reach out to Acera Health today at (949) 647-4090.
Melody is a highly skilled proactive clinical administrator, with more than 17 years of experience serving the community in the behavioral health field.
Her clinical management career started in 2011 as a compliance manager and program director. In 2018, she became an executive as chief clinical officer (CCO). She is a seasoned licensed marriage & family therapist.
