Building Client Rapport
How can we best build rapport with our clients?
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Building Client Rapport — 6 Comments
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How can we best build rapport with our clients?
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Hi Mary Lynn, I think the first step to building rapport with any client is to really listen to them, and hear what they are telling you, which might not be what it seems on the surface! As with any client accessing therapy for any reason, someone’s motivation for seeking support may differ from what they first tell you it is. having an open attitude to listening to clients, without judgement or preconceptions will help people feel heard, and this in my view is the best way to build rapport. Linked with the theme for this year: ‘Being Seen, Being Heard’ – therapy might be the first time someone who stutters feels their voice is valued rather than judged against a standard of ‘fluency.’ Feeling heard by a clinician will lead to a strong therapeutic relationship and build rapport through that.
Thank you so much for your invaluable advice. It’s so clear from what you’re saying that the client needs a safe place to be understood and not be judged and that there’s an awesome responsibility in being the first person who may create that situation.
Hi Mary!
There are so many ways to build rapport with persons who stutter. I think the main issue is to listen carefully, and to be honest and authentic as clinicians. I also think we need to get to know the person well, and to be aware of the different contexts the person is dealing with. I think the degree of our competence plays a big part, and how we are managing this competence with each person. It is our responsibility to make sure that each individual get the space they need, and the opportunity to give us feedback, both about the process, satisfaction in general, as well as satisfaction (personalized significance) of the elements integrated in the therapy. The feedback should be collected as often as possible. Feedback can be shared both informal and formal. There exist several measures to evaluate the working alliance between clients and clinicians, but this information may not be relevant here.
It is much more to say, but I hope some of it will make sense.
Hi Hilda,
It’s good to know that we can integrate feedback into the therapy and the value in sharing it and using reliable measurements. Nothing has struck me more than how much people want to be heard (and seen) so thank you for bringing it home again in your stressing it as the main issue. Also you mention authenticity so I’ll deal honestly and openly with my clients so they feel they can trust me.
Hi Mary Lynn. I work in a very different professional context, coordinating a helpline and webchat service for people who stutter, as well as their families, employers, teachers, etc. In that context, we need to build rapport based only on what we hear, or on the words the person has typed, yet I agree with Jenny and Hilda. Listening, being interested in the person calling and in their experiences, giving time for the person to express themselves, not jumping in to ‘fix but, instead, asking thoughtful questions that allow our callers to reflect on their experiences and what motivated them to call today, This genuine curiosity drives the beginning of rapport in our conversations with people who stutter.
Hi Kristin,
Thank you for answering my post. Your job sounds really interesting and a good way to build listening skills. Curiosity for the person and learning about their experience without fixing them seems like a very validating approach. Listening is sometimes an underrated skill, but clearly so needed. Thank you again for sharing your expertise.