Building Bridges: Fostering Trust with Your Therapist

Building trust with a therapist is a fundamental aspect of effective therapy, and lays the groundwork for a supportive and transformative therapeutic experience. Trust serves as the foundation upon which individuals can openly explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences, fostering a safe space for growth. Establishing trust may take time, especially if it’s your first time in therapy or you’re seeing a new therapist. Here are some ways to build trust:

• Open communication is key. Provide feedback on what treatment methods work or don’t work for you to help your therapist understand your needs better.
• Set realistic expectations. Understand that building trust and feeling fully comfortable may take time.
• Be authentic. Authenticity helps foster trust by allowing your therapist to better understand who you are and what’s important to you.
• Be informed. Working with your therapist tomake decisions together and learn about available treatments can build trust.

However, building trust can be challenging if you’re not sure your therapist is right for you. “If you feel heard and understood right off the bat, it’s a good sign that your therapist is likely a good fit for you,” says Shane Kuhlman, Chief Psychology Officer at Centerstone. The following are additional ways to determine if you are compatible with one another:

• Empathy from the therapist and their ability to provide the type of treatment you’re seeking are important indicators.
• If you understand what treatment you’re receiving early on, this indicates open communication and signifies a good fit.
• Consider whether your communications styles are compatible. Does it take longer for you to open up? Or do you prefer to dive in right away? Whichever methods suits you best, it’s important to make sure that your therapist can accommodate.

Before choosing a new therapist, there are some things within yourself and about your needs that can be helpful to identify ahead of time. “It can be helpful to be able to voice what drove you to start therapy at this time,” adds Kuhlman. Knowing why you’re starting now can be helpful for your therapist to determine the proper course of treatment. There are also a few questions that may be beneficial to ask the clinic before starting treatment with a new therapist:

1. If you know exactly what your concerns are, ask which therapists at their clinic specialize in treating them.
2. If, for any reason, you prefer that your therapist is a certain gender, be sure to mention this when scheduling your initial appointment.
3. Is treatment going to be accessible for you? If you prefer certain days or times of the week, or telehealth visits, confirm with the clinic that there is a therapist who can accommodate your schedule.

Building trust with your therapist is paramount for effective treatment. Remember that it takes time and involves open and honest communication. If you are ready to start therapy or have questions about which treatment is right for you, Centerstone can help. Call us at 877-HOPE123 (1-877-467-3123) or visit our counseling services page to get started.