In counseling, it’s often the “therapeutic relationship that heals”

In counseling, it’s often the “therapeutic relationship that heals” rather than some “fancy strategies” or setups. 

Fancy strategies and special decors are great, but that’s just the “cream on top”, and without a strong therapeutic relationship, it’s probably not worth too much. 

Family Doctors have a great advantage. We have a strong therapeutic relationship with our long term patients already to leverage from don’t we?  

Our counseling attempts may more valuable and more effective than we think. So don’t be too afraid to spend more time with our patients, and provide our patients with “simple” supportive counseling and emotional support. When done in a supportive, reflective, non-judging, and compassionate manner, it’s extremely valuable. 

Reference:  Quote “It’s the relationship that heals”~Irvan Yalom