Rapport will be helped and facilitated by how the counsellor manages their\u00a0own feelings towards the client, and how they\u00a0behave with the client.<\/p>\n
Unless a client feels a sense of rapport, they will be unlikely to be able to work well with the counsellor.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t![\"Establishing](\"https:\/\/counsellingtutor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/counselling-skills-rapport.jpg\" "\\"Establishing")
\n\t
To establish rapport with the client, the counsellor needs to think about:<\/h2>\n\t\n- Being well prepared for the session<\/strong>, unrushed, calm, ready and prepared to be there for the client, putting their\u00a0own issues and problems out of the way, for the duration of the session.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
\n- Making a safe and trusting environment<\/strong>, including\u00a0taking the trouble to make the setting appealing; offering a restful, clean, uncluttered and\u00a0pleasant setting; providing\u00a0comfy seating and\u00a0perhaps a cup of tea; and ensuring there are\u00a0absolutely no intrusions, and that the room is soundproofed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t
![\"Showing](\"https:\/\/counsellingtutor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/show-the-client-respect.jpg\" "\\"Respect")
\n\t\n- Being aware of who the client is<\/strong>, including (for second and follow-on sessions) knowing the client’s name, and remembering key things about their issues (through taking the time to read last week’s notes).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
\n- Offering empathy<\/strong>, making an effort to be there with\u00a0and for the client, and trying to see how the client feels about\u00a0and\u00a0sees things (which is likely to be different from the counsellor’s perception).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
\n- Having an accepting manner<\/strong>, including remaining unshocked, whatever the client brings; being non-judgemental, however much the client’s behaviour surprises or appalls us; offering unconditional positive regard (UPR) to the client, however they have been behaving; and maintaining respect for the person (though not always condoning the behaviour).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
\n- Being unrushed, allowing the client time<\/strong>;\u00a0letting\u00a0<\/strong>the client\u00a0stay with whatever feelings come up, without trying to solve all the problems at that moment; and\u00a0being patient with clients who find it hard to talk about themselves.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
\n- Being congruent<\/strong>: being honest, in a well-considered and kindly way; and\u00a0not being ‘brutally honest’ in a confrontational or rude way, but gently challenging dysfunctional beliefs and behaviours, when the time is right.\nIf rapport is established, the client will grow to trust the counsellor, and a good foundation is laid for real growth and healing to occur.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
Reflection<\/strong>:\u00a0How do you know when someone is building rapport with you?<\/p>\n\t\tFree Handout Download<\/h3>\t\t\n\t\t\t
5 Ways of Building Rapport<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tClick Here to Download Free Handout\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\tStrategies counsellors use to develop rapport<\/h2>\nTasks<\/h3>\n\n- Discuss the client’s reason for attending counselling and what they hope will change as a result.<\/li>\n
- Explain the purpose of the counselling contact<\/a> and what it is for.<\/li>\n
- Be receptive and responsive to any questions the client might ask.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
Counselling skills used to develop rapport<\/h3>\n\n- Active listening<\/a> – it’s not just about listening – it’s also about ensuring that the client feels heard. To do this, we must also respond respectfully<\/li>\n
- Use of silence<\/a> – silence enables the client space to process their thoughts and feelings without distraction<\/li>\n
- Reflecting and paraphrasing<\/a> – allows the client to perceive that they are being understood completely<\/li>\n
- Thoughtful use of questions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
\n\n<\/blockquote>\n\tThe counselling environment<\/h3>\n
Make sure the environment is suitably welcoming for the client.<\/p>\n
Pay attention to the following things:<\/p>\n
\n- Are the room and furnishings comfortable and welcoming for the client?<\/li>\n
- Is the temperature of the room suitable for counselling to take place?<\/li>\n
- Confidentiality<\/a>: Does the room provide a confidential and safe space for the client to explore their difficulties?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
You as the counsellor<\/h3>\n
Building rapport is as much about you as a person than any techniques or skills.<\/p>\n
Be thoughtful that clients (like most people) are drawn to build relationships with people who are caring, trustful and show interest in them.<\/p>\n
You can do this by:<\/h4>\n\n- Creating a warm and respectful environment<\/li>\n
- Offering the “core conditions<\/a>“<\/li>\n
- Establishing credibility by offering a thoughtful and professional service<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
The importance of building rapport with a client<\/h3>\n
Griffin (2006) offers the following observations on the importance of rapport building and forming an ongoing therapeutic relationship:<\/p>\n
<\/blockquote>\nGriffin, J. (2006). Client-centered exercise prescription. Illinois: Human Kinetics, p.6.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n\t\t
Free Handout Download<\/h3>\t\t\n\t\t\t
- \n
- Making a safe and trusting environment<\/strong>, including\u00a0taking the trouble to make the setting appealing; offering a restful, clean, uncluttered and\u00a0pleasant setting; providing\u00a0comfy seating and\u00a0perhaps a cup of tea; and ensuring there are\u00a0absolutely no intrusions, and that the room is soundproofed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t
- \n
- Being aware of who the client is<\/strong>, including (for second and follow-on sessions) knowing the client’s name, and remembering key things about their issues (through taking the time to read last week’s notes).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
- \n
- Offering empathy<\/strong>, making an effort to be there with\u00a0and for the client, and trying to see how the client feels about\u00a0and\u00a0sees things (which is likely to be different from the counsellor’s perception).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
- \n
- Having an accepting manner<\/strong>, including remaining unshocked, whatever the client brings; being non-judgemental, however much the client’s behaviour surprises or appalls us; offering unconditional positive regard (UPR) to the client, however they have been behaving; and maintaining respect for the person (though not always condoning the behaviour).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
- \n
- Being unrushed, allowing the client time<\/strong>;\u00a0letting\u00a0<\/strong>the client\u00a0stay with whatever feelings come up, without trying to solve all the problems at that moment; and\u00a0being patient with clients who find it hard to talk about themselves.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
- \n
- Being congruent<\/strong>: being honest, in a well-considered and kindly way; and\u00a0not being ‘brutally honest’ in a confrontational or rude way, but gently challenging dysfunctional beliefs and behaviours, when the time is right.\nIf rapport is established, the client will grow to trust the counsellor, and a good foundation is laid for real growth and healing to occur.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
Reflection<\/strong>:\u00a0How do you know when someone is building rapport with you?<\/p>\n\t\t
Free Handout Download<\/h3>\t\t\n\t\t\t
5 Ways of Building Rapport<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tClick Here to Download Free Handout\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t
Strategies counsellors use to develop rapport<\/h2>\n
Tasks<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Discuss the client’s reason for attending counselling and what they hope will change as a result.<\/li>\n
- Explain the purpose of the counselling contact<\/a> and what it is for.<\/li>\n
- Be receptive and responsive to any questions the client might ask.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
Counselling skills used to develop rapport<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Active listening<\/a> – it’s not just about listening – it’s also about ensuring that the client feels heard. To do this, we must also respond respectfully<\/li>\n
- Use of silence<\/a> – silence enables the client space to process their thoughts and feelings without distraction<\/li>\n
- Reflecting and paraphrasing<\/a> – allows the client to perceive that they are being understood completely<\/li>\n
- Thoughtful use of questions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
\n\n<\/blockquote>\n\t
The counselling environment<\/h3>\n
Make sure the environment is suitably welcoming for the client.<\/p>\n
Pay attention to the following things:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Are the room and furnishings comfortable and welcoming for the client?<\/li>\n
- Is the temperature of the room suitable for counselling to take place?<\/li>\n
- Confidentiality<\/a>: Does the room provide a confidential and safe space for the client to explore their difficulties?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
You as the counsellor<\/h3>\n
Building rapport is as much about you as a person than any techniques or skills.<\/p>\n
Be thoughtful that clients (like most people) are drawn to build relationships with people who are caring, trustful and show interest in them.<\/p>\n
You can do this by:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Creating a warm and respectful environment<\/li>\n
- Offering the “core conditions<\/a>“<\/li>\n
- Establishing credibility by offering a thoughtful and professional service<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
The importance of building rapport with a client<\/h3>\n
Griffin (2006) offers the following observations on the importance of rapport building and forming an ongoing therapeutic relationship:<\/p>\n
<\/blockquote>\n
Griffin, J. (2006). Client-centered exercise prescription. Illinois: Human Kinetics, p.6.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n\t\t
Free Handout Download<\/h3>\t\t\n\t\t\t
- Establishing credibility by offering a thoughtful and professional service<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
- Use of silence<\/a> – silence enables the client space to process their thoughts and feelings without distraction<\/li>\n
- Be receptive and responsive to any questions the client might ask.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
- Being congruent<\/strong>: being honest, in a well-considered and kindly way; and\u00a0not being ‘brutally honest’ in a confrontational or rude way, but gently challenging dysfunctional beliefs and behaviours, when the time is right.\nIf rapport is established, the client will grow to trust the counsellor, and a good foundation is laid for real growth and healing to occur.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
- Being unrushed, allowing the client time<\/strong>;\u00a0letting\u00a0<\/strong>the client\u00a0stay with whatever feelings come up, without trying to solve all the problems at that moment; and\u00a0being patient with clients who find it hard to talk about themselves.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
- Having an accepting manner<\/strong>, including remaining unshocked, whatever the client brings; being non-judgemental, however much the client’s behaviour surprises or appalls us; offering unconditional positive regard (UPR) to the client, however they have been behaving; and maintaining respect for the person (though not always condoning the behaviour).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
- Offering empathy<\/strong>, making an effort to be there with\u00a0and for the client, and trying to see how the client feels about\u00a0and\u00a0sees things (which is likely to be different from the counsellor’s perception).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t
- Being aware of who the client is<\/strong>, including (for second and follow-on sessions) knowing the client’s name, and remembering key things about their issues (through taking the time to read last week’s notes).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t