Maintaining a positive

It is often difficult to establish rapport and a collaborative working set with substance-abusing patients; moreover, it is very easy to lose that rapport once it is there.

Therefore, even when things seem to be going smoothly in the therapeutic relationship, the therapist must be vigilant in consistently doing what is necessary to maintain the positive feelings between therapist and patient.

The following are some general principles that therapists can employ throughout treatment to preserve a productive and healthy therapeutic alliance:

III. Maintaining a Positive Alliance over the Course of Treatment
It is often difficult to establish rapport and a collaborative working set with substance-abusing patients; moreover, it is very easy to lose that rapport once it is there. Therefore, even when things seem to be going smoothly in the therapeutic relationship, the therapist must be vigilant in consistently doing what is necessary to maintain the positive feelings between therapist and patient. The following are some general principles that therapists can employ throughout treatment to preserve a productive and healthy therapeutic alliance: Ask patients for feedback about every session. Be attentive. Remember details about the patients from session to session. Use imagery and metaphors that the patients will find personally relevant. Be consistent, dependable, and available. Be trustworthy, even when the patient is not. Remain calm and cool in session, even if the patient is not. Be confident, but be humble. Set limits in a respectful manner.
Back