Prevent panic: keep your room cool
Prevent clients from panicking by keeping your room cool. Overheating clients can misinterpret a rise in room temperature as the onset of a panic attack.
Claim your chair with your notepad
Use your notepad to claim your chair before the client enters the room. If you can sit where you need to be, there will be no unease to be misinterpreted by the client.
Improve rapport by allowing silences
Clients’ perceptions of rapport may be enhanced by silences. Therapists who are uncomfortable with silence should remind themselves that their client’s interpretation of the silence may be much more positive.
Relaxation Techniques: A Practical Handbook
A compendium of relaxation techniques. This book supports the clinical practice of physical and psychological therapists seeking to explore the field of relaxation training or to tailor their approach to individual clients.
Slow speech makes for clear communication
Speaking more slowly can improve communication between therapist and client. Slow speech is more comprehensible and more considered.
What is your one aim for any session?
Having too many goals can be as bad as having no goals. This is as true for therapists as for our clients, yet therapists may enter into a session with far too many goals to achieve in one sitting.