If a therapist gets upset with a patient during a therapy session, it can have various negative consequences for the therapeutic relationship and the patient's well-being. Some potential outcomes include:
Breakdown of trust: The patient may lose trust in the therapist, feeling betrayed or misunderstood.
Increased emotional distress: If the patient perceives the therapist's upset as a rejection or judgment, it can lead to heightened emotional distress.
Resistance or withdrawal: The patient might become defensive, resistant, or withdraw from therapy altogether.
Disruption of therapy progress: A strained therapeutic relationship can hinder progress and make it challenging to work through important issues.
Reinforcement of negative beliefs: If the patient has a history of being judged or rejected, the therapist's upset may reinforce negative beliefs about themselves.
Ethical concerns: Therapists are bound by ethical guidelines to maintain professional boundaries and not harm the patient emotionally.
To effectively handle this situation, therapists should consider the following steps:
Self-awareness and reflection: Therapists should be aware of their emotions and triggers, reflecting on why they might have become upset during the session.
Seek supervision or consultation: If the therapist is unsure how to handle their feelings, seeking supervision or consultation with a more experienced colleague can provide valuable insights and guidance.
Take a break if necessary: If the therapist feels overwhelmed by their emotions, they can request a short break in the session to compose themselves.
Mindful response: Instead of reacting impulsively, therapists can practice mindfulness and take a moment to choose their response carefully.
Address the issue openly and honestly: After taking time to reflect, the therapist can acknowledge their feelings and discuss them openly with the patient. This can model healthy communication and repair ruptures in the therapeutic alliance.
Validate the patient's feelings: The therapist should validate the patient's experience and emotions if they were the cause of the therapist's upset.
Apologize if appropriate: If the therapist's reaction was inappropriate, they should apologize sincerely.
Re-establish boundaries: Therapists should ensure that they maintain appropriate professional boundaries to protect the therapeutic relationship.
Process and explore emotions: Together with the patient, the therapist can explore both the therapist's and the patient's emotions related to the incident, using it as an opportunity for therapeutic growth.
Continued self-care and support: Therapists should engage in self-care and seek support when needed to manage their emotional reactions.
Therapists are human, and it's natural to experience emotions during sessions. However, it's crucial for therapists to maintain professionalism and handle their emotions in a way that benefits the therapeutic process and promotes the well-being of their clients.