Feeling able to trust your clinician, speak openly and explore difficult experiences is an important part of treatment.

In this video Dr Andrew Howe, Consultant Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, explores why the therapeutic relationship matters in both psychiatry and psychotherapy.

The discussion considers how an honest, human connection can help clients feel comfortable opening up, receiving feedback and considering patterns they may not have recognised themselves.

Why does the relationship with your therapist matter?

Opening up about difficult thoughts, feelings or experiences can feel daunting. It helps to be with someone you trust, who will listen and offer honest, thoughtful feedback.

The therapeutic relationship is the connection you build with your therapist or psychiatrist. Alongside the treatment approach, that relationship is an important part of being able to explore difficulties together.

At its heart, this is a human relationship. Your clinician brings professional knowledge and experience, while also being another person in the room who understands what it means to have emotions. Openness and, where appropriate, carefully considered sharing can help build that connection.

Trust becomes particularly valuable when your therapist offers a different perspective. They might suggest an explanation, notice a pattern or draw attention to something you had not recognised in yourself. Feeling that they are working with you and taking your experiences seriously can make it easier to consider what they are saying, even when it feels challenging.

We all have things we find difficult to see about ourselves. A trusting therapeutic relationship creates space to think about those things together, ask questions and develop a fuller understanding of your experiences.

If you're looking for support, you can get in contact with our team here.