Tailoring therapy to a Client's Needs
I'm thrilled to share that my latest article, "How Can a Therapeutic Approach Fit a Client's Needs?" is now featured on Psychotherapists.io! Contributing to such a dynamic platform has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited to bring my personal insights and experiences to this community.
The following is my piece:
Providing therapy to clients is a privilege because therapists are privy to their inner world, challenges, and vulnerabilities. Adjusting therapy increases the possibilities of client retention, engagement, and an overall positive experience. During the therapeutic process, there are multiple techniques that clinicians can utilize including providing options during therapy, requesting feedback, among other strategies.
While I'm providing therapy, I sometimes run into an issue. As a client is sharing their concern, I quickly think of multiple ways to address their problem. However, instead of selecting an approach, I turn the decision-making process to the client. First, I'm transparent by sharing the multiple approaches dilemma. After which, I educate clients on the different interventions and answer their questions. Finally, I reassure them by stating we can always change course if a choice doesn't resonate with them. In doing so, I hope to encourage active participation, empower clients by trusting their decisions, and slowly build their confidence.
Another method a clinician can use is directly asking a client for feedback. However, it's important to be mindful of a client's communication style and culture when implementing this technique. For some clients, this request is straightforward and can generate insightful information. However, others may find this task difficult because it's uncomfortable. For these clients, I change my request for feedback to, "I'm trying to professionally grow and improve how I provide therapy, do you have any suggestions?" This statement normally provides the information I'm looking for.
Other tips to consider include asking clients about their past experiences with clinicians and being flexible. When I begin working with a new client, I like to assess what they enjoyed and disapproved of during their work with other therapists. By doing so, I tailor my therapy style by incorporating what they enjoy and limiting what they dislike. In the earlier stages of my career, I loved creating an agenda and resuming sessions where the client left off last time. However, after years in the field, I realized that people are dynamic and fluid. For that reason, I believe that being flexible is a strength in therapy. Being adaptive encourages a clinician to shift from a therapist-centered perspective to a more client-centered approach.
