Why Is the Initial Consultation so Important? What Factors Will an Ethical Therapist Cover at This Time?
Why is the initial consultation so important? What factors will an ethical therapist cover at this time?
There are a multitude of factors that a therapist must consider during the initial consultation. I will describe the actual mechanics of the consultation, the ethical considerations facing the therapist and the particular challenges of the actual consultation itself.
Before even meeting the client, it is vitally important to consider the role of the environment in the therapeutic space. Consequently, there are a number of aspects of the room itself that need to be looked at. The layout of the room should be considered. The generally accepted approach is to have 2 upright chairs facing each other at an angle for the consultation and talking therapies, along with a recliner for hypnotherapy.
We also need to look at the other environmental factors, such as the colour of the room, whether the room is in a noisy or a quiet area and whether or not to play music. We also need to consider how we dress and even how the room smells.
There are a number of ethical factors to be considered.
Dual Relationship:
Where the therapist already has a relationship with the client outside of the consulting room, especially on a personal basis.
Dual roles defined
The American Psychological Association (2002, p. 1065) Ethical Standard 3.05 (Multiple Relationships) states the following: (a) A multiple relationship occurs when a psychologist is in a professional role with a person and (1) at the same time is in another role with the same person, (2) at the same time is in a relationship with a person closely associated with or related to the person with whom they have the professional relationship, or (3) promises to enter into another relationship in the future with the person or a person associated with or related to the person.
A psychologist refrains from entering into a multiple relationship if the multiple relationship could reasonably
There are a multitude of factors that a therapist must consider during the initial consultation. I will describe the actual mechanics of the consultation, the ethical considerations facing the therapist and the particular challenges of the actual consultation itself.
Before even meeting the client, it is vitally important to consider the role of the environment in the therapeutic space. Consequently, there are a number of aspects of the room itself that need to be looked at. The layout of the room should be considered. The generally accepted approach is to have 2 upright chairs facing each other at an angle for the consultation and talking therapies, along with a recliner for hypnotherapy.
We also need to look at the other environmental factors, such as the colour of the room, whether the room is in a noisy or a quiet area and whether or not to play music. We also need to consider how we dress and even how the room smells.
There are a number of ethical factors to be considered.
Dual Relationship:
Where the therapist already has a relationship with the client outside of the consulting room, especially on a personal basis.
Dual roles defined
The American Psychological Association (2002, p. 1065) Ethical Standard 3.05 (Multiple Relationships) states the following: (a) A multiple relationship occurs when a psychologist is in a professional role with a person and (1) at the same time is in another role with the same person, (2) at the same time is in a relationship with a person closely associated with or related to the person with whom they have the professional relationship, or (3) promises to enter into another relationship in the future with the person or a person associated with or related to the person.
A psychologist refrains from entering into a multiple relationship if the multiple relationship could reasonably