HCAs and APs building a therapeutic relationship

Within this article the author will be discussing the importance of the support worker developing a therapeutic relationship with their patients, clients and families. What is meant by a therapeutic relationship will firstly be defined before moving on to examine the many benefits that this brings to the health and social care role. Relevant sections of The Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England (Skills for Care and Skills for Health, 2013) will be highlighted. The three key aspects of partnership, intimacy and reciprocity of Muetzel's (1991) model of therapeutic relationships will be identified. The important aspects of communication, rapport, empathy, self-awareness and emotional intelligence will be further explored. There are times and situations when developing this special relationship will be more difficult to attain and these will be examined, giving suggestions on how these barriers may be overcome.