Rapport is an essential part of a healthy Client/Therapist relationship. It contributes to the client feeling safe, respected, understood and important and this helps them achieving their goals in therapy. Rapport refers to the caring and shared understanding of issues between a therapist and a client. It helps clients to feel we are on their team and not playing against them. Good rapport lets the client feel that their therapist "has their back" in a way that will allow them to find solutions to their challenges. Likewise, the therapist in a setting with good therapeutic rapport feels respected in a way that allows them to speak clearly and freely. The goal of developing a good rapport is to improve your chances for a successful outcome, along with developing mutual trust and respect.
The process of building rapport begins with the initial consultation and the workings of the brain presentation, where the therapist and client get to know each other, learn more about the issues the client is facing, and work on showing than what we can do to help. Inconsequential language, talking about what the clients like and showing interest helps build report as it shows we are interested in the client and not just about their challenges.
Our body language is important, mirroring in a verbal and nonverbal way, helps the client to feel we are similar to them which aids rapport. Checking understanding, giving feedback, smiling and being genuinely interested in their road to success, all helps.
We have a huge advantage if we have a good level of Rapport with the client, the client has a far higher chance of moving forward in a positive way with someone they like. The more we can develop this, the more influential the therapy will be on the client’s wellbeing.
