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Beach House Recovery Center » Blog » How to Find a Good Therapist for Your Recovery —Components of a Strong “Therapeutic Alliance”
Not every therapist is good for your recovery. A good therapeutic fit and strong rapport is key to progress. Learn what to look for and key considerations when vetting prospective therapists:
“Therapeutic alliance” is just a fancy way of saying “how well you and your therapist get along with, and relate to, each other.” Or, as one doctor put it, “the trust between you and your therapist that allows you to work together effectively.”
Not only a trust element, but an element of mutual understanding and respect, is involved. If your typical therapy session is conducted in an atmosphere of mutual dislike, or if you can’t communicate effectively, the results of your “treatment” will be more negative than positive. At best, you won’t get really helpful advice. At worst, you may find the sessions so stressful that all you want is to reach once again for the old chemical method of relief.
If, on the other hand, you feel that your therapist understands and empathizes with you, and, moreover, is someone you know and personally like, that bodes well for your treatment outcome because:
The strength of your therapeutic alliance may well make the difference between successful recovery and repeated relapse. So if you’re just starting addiction recovery or otherwise looking for a new therapist, make extra effort to ensure that therapist is a good fit for you.
That may not always be possible. Your insurance company (or the courts) may simply assign you to a particular therapist or give you a limited list to choose from. In which case, all you can do is make up your mind to expect the best, and ask your support group or an insurance/court representative for advice if you experience problems.
When the final decision is yours, however, here are some ideas on how to find a good fit in a therapist. While searching, keep in mind these components of a strong therapeutic alliance:
When choosing among multiple therapists, make a “preliminary interview” appointment with each before committing to anyone. During each interview, pay attention to these points:
Therapists to cross off your “for consideration” list:
Finally, remember that every alliance is two-sided. In itself, the severity of an addiction has little effect on how easy it is to form a strong therapeutic alliance: but if you use “I’ve had such a rough time” or “I’m weaker than others” as an excuse for demanding your therapist solve all your problems with no help from you, it won’t do much good for your alliance—or your recovery.
To contribute your fair share to the therapeutic alliance, you’ll need:
And, believe in yourself, your therapist and the alliance!
Sources:
Addictions.com. “Therapeutic Alliances and Addiction Treatment Choices.” Accessed September 23, 2017.
Arnow, Bruce A., and Dana Steidtmann. “Harnessing the Potential of the Therapeutic Alliance.” World Psychiatry, October 2014, Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 238–240. Accessed September 23, 2017.
Bridges to Recovery. “How a Strong Therapeutic Alliance Improves Treatment Outcomes for Borderline Personality Disorder.” March 3, 2017. Accessed September 23, 2017.
Cabaniss, Deborah L. “The Therapeutic Alliance: The Essential Ingredient for Psychotherapy.” HuffingtonPost.com, July 31, 2012. Accessed September 23, 2017.
Cronin, Elisabeth, Bethany L. Brand, and Jonathan F. Mattanah. “The Impact of the Therapeutic Alliance on Treatment Outcome in Patients with Dissociative Disorders.” European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 2014. Updated March 6, 2014. Accessed September 23, 2017.
Urbanoski, Karen A., John F. Kelly, Bettina B. Hoeppner, and Valerie Slaymaker. “The Role of Therapeutic Alliance in Substance Use Disorder Treatment for Young Adults.” Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, October 2012, Vol. 43, No. 3, pp. 344–351. Accessed September 23, 2017.
Whether you’re researching for yourself or a loved one, Beach House can help. We understand that this is a serious time in your life and that the treatment center you choose matters. We want you to feel comfortable and empowered to make the right decision for yourself, a friend, or a family member. This is why a counselor is waiting and available to answer your questions and help put your mind at ease regarding the next steps. Many of the staff at Beach House have walked in your shoes. If you feel you’re ready or want more information about how to help a loved one, we can help today. You can also learn why we are voted the #1 rehab for addiction treatment in Florida.
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