Therapeutic Relationship

Running Head: THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP
0
Therapeutic Relationship
Essay
student
4/30/2019

THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP
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Therapeutic Relationship
The therapeutic use of self is the essential focus of nursing and needs that the nurse is
conscious of his or her own opinions, feelings and activities. It is actually the use of oneself in
such a manner that one turn into an effective tool in the assessment and intervention process
(Browne, Cashin, & Graham, 2012). The purpose of a therapeutic association is to help the
individual in treatment to alter his or her life for the better. Such a relationship is vital; as it
is oftentimes the first setting in which the person is getting treatment shares close thoughts,
opinions, and emotions concerning the issue(s) in question. As such, it is very significant
that therapist delivers a safe, open, and non-judgmental atmosphere where the pretentious
individual can be at ease (Kameg, Mitchell, Clochesy, Howard, & Suresky, 2009). In this
particular essay the impact of bias, and stigma on the therapeutic use of self, personal and
professional values, strategies used to manage the integrity, will be discussed.
Throughout my nursing career, I have been working as a registered nurse dealing
with diabetic patients. I have been addressing patient from different cultures and belief.
Most of the patient felt anxious and distressed during their hospitalizations period as they
are concerned about the treatment process and their diseases. Diabetes is the long-lasting
disorder that may develop different psychological issues like depression, anxiety and stress
among the patients (Lee, et al., 2013). In this case, nurses can play a key role, as they spent
more time with the patient compared to the other health care providers. Being as a nurse I
was my responsibility to develop the patient’s trust in the health care setting and the
treatment process. This has been done by developing a therapeutic relationship with the
diseased people. The therapeutic relationship is the process or method that can be used by

THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP
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the nurses to make a healthy relationship with the client. There are different components of
therapeutic alliances that must be used by the nurses including, respect, and empathy. All
the health care worker specifically nurses are supposed to address the client with respect and
must be dealt empathetically. Establishing therapeutic alliances is a vital step in the patient
recovery process. Once a therapeutic relationship is built with the patient; the individual
involved in the therapy might be more inclined to discuss their actual condition more easily.
Therapeutic relationship allows the nurses in the effortless assessment of the patient
(Hammer, Fox, & Hampton, 2014). Therapeutic use of self becomes a core component of the
health care systems. It involves determining what is medically proper for the diseased
person. It also used for a purpose, as it helps in understanding. I have been providing my
services to the patient who is experiencing stigmas and distress, some of the lost their faith
in the health care system as they think that the mediation process is not working for them. It
is hard for the patient to discuss their actual condition clearly due the trust issues; therefore
I have used my communications skills to deal with these kinds of patients. Communications
skills such as active listening, making eye contact, showing interest by using specific words,
must be used while dealing with the patients (Szpak, & Kameg, 2013).
Stigma and bias have different impacts on the therapeutic use of self. Different
researchers have found that stigma is the negative process or labelling people who retain or
demonstrate the personal or behavioural qualities that are dissimilar with the social norms.
It involves the explicit devaluation of the social identity and outcomes in the stigmatized
people being stunned and avoided by others and sensing shame or embarrassment (Corrigan,
Larson, & Ruesch, 2009). It can also impact an individual’s engagement and relationship
with the nurses and physician. It can develop discomfort and distrust with the nurses and