Culturally, we often think about trust as being only one thing: either someone is to be trusted, or someone is not. This makes sense on a basic level of safety: am I safe with this person, or not?

Once a feeling of safety is present, trust becomes even more interesting...

I believe there are many different shades and aspects of trust, which become more apparent within the therapeutic relationship.

Between a client and a practitioner, there exists a special relationship. The practitioner offers their presence and holds the space for exploration, healing and transformation. And the client commits themselves to personal development and change, and in the process reveals their vulnerability and true self.

The space between the client and practitioner is full of potential. It whispers of freedom, authenticity, grace and compassion. And the foundation of the client-therapist relationship, and all of its potential, is trust.

All healing, all insight, all transformation, relies first on trusting.

What do we know about trust?

Trust is intangible and therefore difficult to describe in words. It is the placing of precious parts of yourself in view of another and being honoured in response.

It is revealing your vulnerability, perceived weakness and flaws, and seeing compassion reflected back in the eyes of the other. It is showing up and receiving the caring presence and attention of another. It is opening your heart and hoping/knowing the other will respond with kindness, acceptance and tenderness. It is falling and finding a net appears to hold you.

Trust is the golden thread, which weaves its healing magic within the therapeutic relationship.

TRUST IN INHERENT HEALTH

The most important aspect of trust in the therapeutic relationship, is that the practitioner trusts in the inherent health, strength, wisdom, and potential of the client.

The client themselves may not trust in their own inherent health, or yet understand the messages from their bodies, emotions or subconscious. Yet, it is important that the practitioner continue to hold this truth, to enable this to be realised by the other person.

The inherent health of an individual will lead a path to restoring goodness, wholeness and authenticity. This trust requires time and perseverance.

TRUST IN THE BODY

Our bodies are simply wondrous beings. In our DNA we hold the secrets of survival through thousands of years, and in our mammalian instincts we hold the knowing of our natural health and well-being, intrinsically connected to all of life.

Though messages are often confused in the complexity of human - particularly modern human - life, and disruptions occur in our natural processes, the essential components are there, inbuilt in our biology. The body is a map for healing. This trust requires slowing down, befriending our bodies and connecting with the Earth.

TRUST IN THE SPACE BETWEEN

Beautiful healing takes place in the space between client and practitioner. An element of trust must allow for this unique meeting place, which is often termed 'the field'. A place where the client's inner self emerges, where the practitioner's holding and presence offers hope, and where healing energies can enter the space.

It is neither one person or the other, or even both together, that make up the totality of the field. There is much more to the space between than we can know. This trust requires openness to mystery.

TRUST IN THE PROCESS

The process or healing journey can be difficult to navigate, with dark places, unknown unknowns, tremendous power and potential, deep trauma and unconscious conflict. Trusting in the process is very difficult, especially at the beginning of the work.

Allowing the restorative and reparative work of healing to take place, is built on the trust in an underlying path that knows where it is going. I think about this as your soul path, a path of your highest wisdom and wellbeing, which in itself is an essential part of creation. This trust requires having the courage to go deeper within.

TRUST IN THE PRACTITIONER

Trust in the practitioner by the client has different aspects, and is cultivated over time. Where trust has been broken or ruptured before, this will be an ongoing process and one of the primary underlying reasons for seeking support.

Clients will want to trust the practitioner to behave professionally, abide by codes of conduct, and engage in ongoing training, mentoring and supervision. Trust to keep their information confidential and to withhold judgement from their story. Trust to stay with them throughout their journey - through the dark and the light.

QUALITIES OF TRUST

So far, the foundations of trust we have explored include: time, perseverance, slowing down, connection to the body and the Earth, opening to mystery, and courage. 

I am sure there are many other aspects. What is most important for your trust in your journey right now?

Trust in the first step - email bryony@creativesoultherapies.com