m(OT)ivating therapeutic relationships

    Last class, in Foundations we talked about therapeutic relationships and how important or imperative they are in the occupational therapy field. We discussed how the key in any therapeutic relationship is the ability to empathize. Of course, we do not want to take pity on the client or feel bad for them per say, but we do want to be able to put ourselves in their shoes and treat them with the respect that we would want to be treated with. Another topic that we discussed was our non-verbal communication skills and how we have to be active in knowing what type of aura we are giving off to our clients. I know for a fact that I struggle with my facial expressions, and that my resting face does look sort of distant or unapproachable, however I am one of the friendliest people you will meet! So, I know that this is something that I have to actively work on and try to convey a different type of "resting face" so that my future clients or even co-workers will not assume the worst before getting to know the best of me. I also learned the difference between a therapeutic relationship and a friendship. In a therapeutic relationship, I should not expect to receive anything in return, however in a friendship it is give and take.