Summary Of The Therapeutic Relationship

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The chapter “The Therapeutic Relationship” in the book called “Conceptual Foundations for Therapeutic Recreation” looks at the therapeutic relationship from multiple professional levels such as a psychologist, nurses, the counseling field, as well as a therapeutic recreation educator’s view (Austin, 2002, pp. 116-118). All of these rolls play a factor in the patient’s improvement of quality of life if and when they are needed. The therapeutic relationship involves the client and the professional. This relationship is of strong value for the client as well as the treatment process (Austin, 2002, pp. 116-117). With this relationship it helps the client gain self-worth and shows what their true abilities in life truly are. This relationship …show more content…

The characteristics include empathy, caring, positive attitude, respect, hope, genuineness, autonomy for the client, and mutuality (Austin, 2002, pp. 119-127). These all are important due to the fact they all support a successful atmosphere to work in. Looking at the list, you realize you must minimize the potential for negativity. The client needs these to feel as if they matter as well as establish their self-worth. Depending on the type of client you have they could have a negative outlook on life coming into the environment and you as the professional could be the person to get that mood to turn for …show more content…

The key competency that I have is my ability to care because I genuinely care about how a person feels and who they are as an individual. Not only being a recreational therapy major have I grown as an individual in this characteristic but, also working in residence life as a community assistant here at Slippery Rock have grew as a person. I learned the value of these characteristics because just like how in the professional field you have clients/ residents and I already have to learn how to build this kind of relationship with my residents. I have to build this relationship so that they feel comfortable in their living environment. Also the number of residents I have will be around what I would have if not more than I will in the professional setting since I have fifty residents. All of my residents do not have medical charts for me to read and help plan out sessions to help them succeed. So I have learned to be quick on my feet and supportive at any given time weather its three in the morning and they are suicidal; to it being three in the afternoon and they are struggling studying for a test. These are not things we are can have set protocols for other than serious issues we have a chain of phone calls to make and then have to write a report and