The Importance of Collaboration in Therapy

The therapeutic relationship depends on the active participation of both the therapist and the client. I have heard of teenagers who may see a therapist unwillingly and just sit silently during the session. I understand why someone would do this if they have no faith that the process will help them with whatever it is they are going through. Therapists respond to this behavior in different ways with varying degrees of success.

The kind of client I work best with is more active and engaged. I function well in a collaborative client-therapist relationship. This does not mean that the client is always enthusiastic, there are some days when someone suffering from depression or anxiety has barely made it out of the house to see me. When this happens, I acknowledge the effort it took to make it to the session and how that shows commitment to the process and a drive to alleviate the symptoms.

Collaboration on the part of the client looks like showing up to sessions on time, an openness to trying out exercises and activities that I suggest, and a willingness to challenge themselves to experience discomfort if it means growth will follow. As far as the therapist is concerned, collaboration means facilitating the process without dictating to the client where they think the client should go. Of course, I have an idea of the themes that arise and a tool kit full of ways to explore those themes. I like to make sure that the client is invested in the content and process of the session.

Both parties interact with the assumption that therapy is not something that is done to you while you passively wait for change to occur. Instead, we allow for a certain give and take that best meets the needs of the client and takes advantage of the skills of the therapist.