Building rapport is a process of developing a relationship with someone based on mutual trust, respect, and understanding. It's something we do all the time in our everyday lives - with our friends, family, co-workers, and strangers. When it comes to building rapport in a therapy session, there are some additional considerations. Mental health can be a sensitive topic for many people, which means the therapist-client relationship needs to be founded on trust from the beginning.

The good news is that building rapport in a therapy session isn't much different than in everyday life. It starts with things like eye contact, body language, and active listening. If you can create an environment where your client feels comfortable talking openly and honestly, you're well on your way to building rapport. 

Building rapport is essential in order to create a successful therapeutic relationship with your client – after all, how can we help our clients if we don't have a good relationship with them?  It's something that can be done relatively easily by being aware of nonverbal communication and using active listening skills. If you can make your client feel comfortable and safe from the beginning, they will be more likely to share openly and honestly with you - which is crucial for helping them work through their mental health issues. 

Thanks for reading! I hope this gives you a better understanding of what building rapport is and why it's so important in therapy. As always, feel free to leave any comments or questions below.

- Aaron Schwartz
Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern
Feel free to learn more or schedule a session here