“It’s so important for both individuals to be on the same page from the start,” says Catherine Giarra, LCSW, Clinical Manager of the Women’s Program at Penn Medicine Princeton House Behavioral Health’s Moorestown site. “We’ve found that it works best to establish very clear expectations while coming from a genuine, compassionate place.”
“This transparency builds the trust and rapport that enable effective treatment,” adds Alexandra Camarda, LCSW, Clinical Manager of the Women’s Program at the Hamilton site. “It sets a collaborative framework in which the therapist and patient are equal partners.”
To create this type of strong foundation, Giarra and Camarda recommend that behavioral health professionals cover these points in initial therapy sessions with patients:
Address goals. While this can be an evolving conversation, reviewing expectations upfront can help elucidate what the patient would like to achieve and how the therapist can facilitate progress.
Ask questions. Ask patients what they want to bring into the relationship and what they want to achieve, which can minimize assumptions that might be off target. If a patient has had prior treatment, ask about their experience, their likes and dislikes, and any concerns they may have coming into a new treatment space.
Clarify roles. For example, while the therapist’s role is to help patients achieve goals and a life worth living, the patient’s role is to show up and be willing to explore obstacles to meeting those goals. This conversation creates a canvas for examining issues in a safe, nonjudgmental way.
Be radically genuine. State the obvious: it can be very uncomfortable for a patient to be vulnerable with someone new. However, sharing difficult information can help build the insight that reduces suffering and promotes progress. In addition, when therapists bring some of their own personality into the sessions—or lighten the mood when appropriate—it humanizes the interaction and often enhances the comfort level for patients.
Set limits. This includes a discussion of confidentiality, the level of tolerance to suicidal ideation or discussions of self-harm, and when the therapist might reach out to others if safety comes into question. It’s also important to discuss any situation in which therapists might feel that they cannot continue to provide care.
According to Camarda, this foundation also can help behavioral health professionals trust the patient’s commitment to care and reduce the amount of nonproductive dialogue, contributing to a decreased level of burnout.
“As humans, we seek a certain level of predictability, and these conversations establish a valuable roadmap for the treatment journey,” adds Giarra. “If at any point things veer off course, there’s an expectation and a plan for getting back on track.”
For more information about outpatient services, visit princetonhouse.org or call 888.437.1610.
Article as seen in the Summer 2020 issue of Princeton House Behavioral Health Today.
