Therapeutic Alliance

Some of the causes of immediate discomfort when meeting a Therapist for the first few times may be an assumed natural imbalance of power in the relationship, which causes a Client to feel vulnerable. The Client may question the sincerity of the Therapist, the issue of confidentiality, as well as whether or not they are being judged. Remember, for all of us our fear of what others think of us is often a projection of our own inner critic onto others. In other words, it is really one’s own negative beliefs about them self that they are imagining, as well as, wondering if the Therapist might be thinking the same about them. However, in my relationship with my Clients, there is a spoken and unspoken understanding and agreement that the relationship we are nurturing is one of equality, honesty & balance; all of which is sacred in our alliance. The means to the Therapeutic Alliance is trust, mutual respect, confidentiality, unconditional regard for each other, as well as equality and healing. 

The Relationship between Therapist and Client is one of the most important aspects of the therapeutic experience. Nurturing that relationship is my priority because in order for a Client to feel comfortable enough to trust the process, they must feel the connection with their Therapist, and trust that they are the most important person in the room, as well as in their Therapist’s life, at least for the time they are with them in session. I have been working with Clients for over 18 years with my expertise being in the Mental Health Field which includes:

  • Mental Health Disorders: 
    • Anxiety/Stress  
    • Panic Disorder
    • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
    • Separation Anxiety Disorder
    • Phobias
    • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
    • Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD) 
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Depression  
    • Persistent Depressive Disorder
    • Postpartum Depression (PPD)
  • Addiction 
    • Substance Abuse & Dependence
    • Substance Use Disorder
    • Dual Diagnosis/Co-occurring Disorders
    • Alcoholism 
    • Relapse Prevention 
    • Chronic Relapse 
    • Coping Skills 
    • Recovery Specialist 
    • Spirituality 
    • Self-harming
    • Relationship Issues
  • Family System Dynamics
  • Divorce, Separation
  • Inner Child work, and more…