During the working phase of a therapeutic relationship, what can the nurse expect from the client?

During the working phase of a therapeutic relationship, clients are encouraged to actively participate in their own treatment and engage meaningfully with the therapeutic process. This phase is characterized by increased trust and intimacy, allowing the client to be more open and forthcoming.

Initiating topics of discussion indicates a level of comfort and trust in the therapeutic relationship, where the client feels safe enough to share their thoughts and feelings. This active engagement helps to foster deeper exploration of issues, promotes therapeutic change, and strengthens the rapport between the nurse and the client. This collaboration is essential in facilitating the client’s personal growth and addressing their mental health needs.

In contrast, focusing conversation on the nurse would indicate a lack of client engagement, while repressing emotionally charged material suggests avoidance rather than an active therapeutic process. Accepting limits on unacceptable behavior is typically more relevant in the context of setting boundaries, which is important but does not capture the proactive nature of client participation during the working phase.