Maybe you have been receiving online therapy for a while now, maybe you just started, or maybe you are a therapist yourself. In any case, it is useful to know more about the importance of the therapeutic relationship. In this blog I explain why a therapeutic relationship is important, also in an online environment such as NiceDay. I also give you tips and tricks for your sessions.
What is the therapeutic relationship?
Suro (2019) describes the therapeutic relationship as a kind of bond between the practitioner and the client. You and your practitioner have the same goal: to initiate a change within you that will make you feel better and that will make you feel better. Within this therapeutic relationship it is important that there is a judgment-free atmosphere, in which you feel comfortable opening up to your therapist without feeling embarrassed.
Two more important elements in the therapeutic relationship are communication and cooperation. You as a client work on your communication skills within therapy. The basis of the therapy is cooperation, or better: team work.
Finally, at the end of a treatment, a chapter is closed. You and your practitioner share what the relationship has brought you and what your practitioner learned from it.
The therapeutic relationship is important
According to researchers Lambert (1992) and Duncan (2002), the therapeutic relationship counts for as much as 30% of the positive effects of a treatment! How the therapeutic relationship has enabled clients to achieve their goals in cognitive behavioral therapy, for example, is described in detail in an article by Easterbrook & Meehan (2017). If you are not yet convinced of the importance of the therapeutic relationship, then definitely read the article.
Research shows: the therapeutic relationship during online treatment is high
OK, so the therapeutic relationship is important. Hopefully you are convinced of that by now. But how is the the therapeutic relationship in online treatments? I can imagine that you have thought about it, especially when you start online therapy. Do you feel connected to someone from a computer screen?
Again scientific research provides an answer. After this I stop with the scientific references, promised. But it is equally important to mention what Pihlaja and colleagues (2018) have found about online treatment and cognitive behavioral therapy:
- The therapeutic relationship within an online treatment is high and sometimes maybe even higher than with a face to face treatment.
- A good therapeutic relationship is related to a better outcome of the treatment, also online.
- Online therapy is an environment in which the client and the practitioner can discover a lot in a practical way with the client.
Sounds good right? I agree! But it must be said that researchers still have many unanswered questions and more research is needed.
Last but not least
The first results about research into the therapeutic relationship within an online treatment are positive! So there should be enough ground for you and your practitioner to build a positive relationship with each other.
Do you feel comfortable with your practitioner and do you feel you can open up? Don’t forget this. It can bring a positive change in yourself, also within an online treatment.
Good luck in the coming time. Always stay hopeful and … go for a positive future!
