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Do you want to bring more of yourself and your lived experience into your therapy sessions? How can therapeutic outcomes be improved with therapist-to-client authenticity? Why does knowing yourself well bring you so much more insight into sessions?
In this podcast episode, Joe Sanok speaks about bringing your true self into therapy with Rachel Sievers.
Podcast Sponsor: WellReceived
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Meet Rachel Sievers
Rachel hosts The Answer To Everything, the podcast where you hear real-life counselling sessions, followed by information and tips you can use in your life today.
Visit Rachel’s website and connect on Instagram and LinkedIn.- Improving therapeutic outcomes with authenticity
- Ethically navigating self-disclosure as a therapist
- Rachel’s advice to private practitioners
Improving therapeutic outcomes with authenticity
All therapists are typically taught in school to never self-disclose and to be careful never to share personal information or experiences with their clients.
Naturally, fear can begin to develop when therapists are nervous about sharing their lives with their clients.
But, over time I just noticed [that] when I would self-disclose – at the right moment – about the right information, suddenly my client would turn a corner, trust me a little bit more, [and] they would be more relaxed in the room with me. (Rachel Sievers)
Moments of genuine human connection can encourage the therapeutic process to progress by leaps and bounds because often people just want to know that they are seen by people who have an understanding of what they are going through.
I found that when I let down [my guard] a little bit and followed my impulses, from human to human, what does this human being need? I’m going to take them out of the patient box right now, take myself out of the therapist box, and just energetically … What is going to help this person? And suddenly I just saw results so much faster. (Rachel Sievers)
Humans are feeling creatures and social creatures. We develop trust, connection, and understanding when we know that there is real empathy present. Rachel encourages you to consider what kind of healing can occur when there is no feeling allowed.
Ethically navigating self-disclosure as a therapist
Because Rachel saw incredible results from approaching her clients on a more personal level, she knew that she wanted to shift her approach to therapy.
To do this, she decided to retire her license. She found that she was no longer able to practice therapy in the way that she now wanted to, because she knew it could have been a legal issue.
Therefore, Rachel retired her license, but because her practice was already so successful she didn’t lose clients because of it, and now counsels instead.
I worked with lawyers about wording and how I can advertise myself, how I describe myself now, and the work that I do. Yeah, so that was an easy transition for me, because I was already established in my practice. (Rachel Sievers)
Additionally, Rachel begins every relationship with a new client with a long conversation. She explains the way that she practices and lets them know that they can decide – along with giving them a consent form because she wants them to fully understand her.
Rachel’s advice to private practitioners
Your job is to know you – yourself. You have to be good with yourself because there is wisdom in knowing yourself that you can bring into your sessions, and that’s where some of your best work will come from.
Sponsors Mentioned in this episode:
- Head to WellReceived.com/joe to start growing your practice today.
- Apply to work with us one-on-one!
Useful links mentioned in this episode:
- Visit Rachel’s website and connect on Instagram and LinkedIn.
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Email Joe at [email protected] to suggest guests for the show
Check out these additional resources:
Grow Your Private Practice with Jane Travis | POP 970
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Meet Joe Sanok
Joe Sanok helps counselors to create thriving practices that are the envy of other counselors. He has helped counselors to grow their businesses by 50-500% and is proud of all the private practice owners who are growing their income, influence, and impact on the world. Click here to explore consulting with Joe.
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