Edge of the Couch What Does 'Following the Client' Mean?
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Oct 9, 2024 Explore the nuanced concept of 'following the client' in therapy, where therapists balance presence with guiding questions. Discover how shifting therapy goals reflect client needs and the importance of emotional depth through storytelling. Learn about 'love mapping' to enhance connections and the value of adapting techniques for individual clients. Delve into the dynamics of the therapeutic relationship, emphasizing collaboration and emotional safety for effective healing.
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Following Client Is Complex Skill
- Following the client is a complex, multi-layer skill requiring presence and attunement.
- Therapists balance staying with the client's current pace and holding the bigger picture in mind.
Watch Affect Versus Content
- Use clinical intuition to recognize when a client’s affect mismatches content.
- Shift focus to underlying emotions when affect is discrepant, especially in trauma work, to avoid retraumatization.
Redirect When Stories Avoid Goals
- Check if client’s storytelling is avoidance or irrelevant to goals.
- Use gentle, respectful redirecting to bring focus back to therapy goals when needed.