Importance of Establishing and Components of a Therapeutic Relationship

Running Head: CULTURAL SAFETY
Case Study: Identification of the Importance of Establishing and Components of a Therapeutic
Relationship
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CULTURAL SAFETY 2
Introduction
The person-centered relationship between the healthcare professional and a client is a
unique relationship. The healthcare professional in this relationship does not have strategy, goals,
and techniques which they can use to support the patient they only have themselves to use. The
therapeutic relationship does not require the counselor or health care professional to be an expert
they need to have skills and knowledge to give guidance to a patient on how to handle specific
difficulties which they experience by making the right choice and decisions (Clarke, Ells,
Thombs & Clarke, 2017). If the counselor happens to be an expert, then the client is less equal to
him/her, and they cannot be involved in making complex decisions regarding their health status.
A therapeutic relationship requires the counselor to be available in full time, and they should
never behave as I they possess more power as compared to the client. Therefore the relationship
should be equal, and both the client and the counselor are involved in decision making. This
improves the patient's confidentiality and sense of power over the client's own life (Groves,
2016). The person-centered relationship enables the patient to have an opportunity to a deep and
meaningful relationship based on genuine acceptance by the counselor. However, through this
relationship, a client may start experiencing difficult facets of their experience which are
challenging.
Components of therapeutic, person-centered relationship
Therapeutic relationship between a nurse or healthcare professional and a patient is made
up of various parts which makes it successful. Presence of trust between the nurse and the patient
is an essential component. Trust is not a component which can easily be gained. It sometimes
takes for a therapeutic relationship to establish trust between the nurse and client (Rogers, 2015).
For a client to be able to feel free in sharing how they think about their health he/she should be

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having some trust in the healthcare professional. However, a good therapist should lead the
clients towards the right direction in which can build confidence between them. There must be
sincerity between the therapist and the client. Clients should be sincere and tell the truth about
their health condition which is about the signs and symptoms they are experiencing from a
particular health complication. According to Carruth & Field (2016), the therapist, on the other
hand, should be sincere as they tell the client about their result from laboratory tests and give
them precise information on the kind of treatment and medication which they should take by
involving them in decision making. The therapist and the client needs to be on the same page for
attaining their set goals and objectives. Therefore, the patient and the therapist should
communicate to each other about the decision which needs to be made regarding a client's health
condition and make goals together which can improve the health condition of the patient (Geller
& Porges, 2014). When the client and therapist have the same goals and objectives, there are no
conflicts between them, and they work together peacefully to ensure that they achieve the goals.
Humor is another component of the therapeutic relationship which helps engage
struggling youths and clients build more healthy relationships with their therapists. The
therapeutic relationship involves two people which is the therapist and the client committed to
working with each other as if they were in a marriage relationship. The therapist and the client
needs to incorporate laughter and humor in this relationship as it creates and restores a positive
emotional environment which enables a proper working condition. Accessibility is another
component for a therapeutic relationship (Kornhaber, Walsh, Duff & Walker, 2016). The
therapist should be available anytime the client needs his/her assistance regarding their health
condition. This component enhances trust as the clients are sure that the therapist will be
available to attend them in times of crisis. The therapist should have knowledge and expertise in

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their field so that they can make the right decision regarding a patient's health and lead the clients
in the right direction to strengthen their therapeutic relationship. Through expertise, healthcare
professionals can administer the right medication and treatment to a patient regarding their health
condition.
Benefits of forming a therapeutic relationship
Maintaining a healthy therapeutic relationship between a therapist and a client has a lot of
benefits. Healthcare institution which supports the fruitful relationship between their clients has
an active communication mechanism between the patients and healthcare professional which
allows for smooth flow of information in the organization (Nagle et al., 2017). Communication is
a very crucial factor in every organization as messages are easily conveyed and interpreted in a
manner which is understood by all members of the organization. The therapeutic relationship
enables a therapist to acquire the right information from a patient which makes them make the
right decision on the kind of treatment and medication they should administer to them regarding
their health situation (Hains, Turner & Strand, 2017). When the relationship between a client and
a therapist is perfect, healthcare professionals feel free to ask the patient questions about their
health, and they can share the laboratory results of the patients with them. Therapist involves
clients in decision making which enhances the client's capability to make a decision about their
lives which can make it worth living (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, 2016).
Therapists involving clients in decision making makes them valuable and powerful which
improves their self-confidence.
Therapist and client set goals and objectives together, and they work together towards the
achievement of these goals which enhances teamwork, and a client can feel free to engage in
community activities and work together with other community members. Therapeutic