We know that many people who seek mental health and substance use help are wary that PSR Practitioners may be yet another uncaring person who cannot be trusted. What steps would you take to begin to win that trust?
- Be curious. Ask what their life is like on a daily basis. What brings them joy or satisfaction? How do they like to spend their time? What is something they have done in their life that made them proud or excited? What or who is important to them?
- Ask details that give you insight into their experiences and values – details that show you actually care and are interested in individuals’ experiences, versus just doing your job. Making real connections with clients so they feel cared about and can trust you is essential and requires being genuinely respectful, accepting, and non-judgmental.
- People know when they actually are cared about and when they aren’t and can feel it viscerally. In fact, people who experience mental illness and or substance misuse and who may have also experienced profound stigmatization or trauma may feel their outer emotional skin as one continuous wound. Ask yourself – How might you determine how your interactions are landing?
- Active listening is essential. Ultimately, a shift is required to see the person as someone deserving and capable of living a meaningful life. Each person brings their own special skills, qualities, values and experiences. To support healing and recovery, we need to understand these unique qualities and bring genuine curiosity and compassion to all interactions. If you remain aloof, distracted, uninterested, or lack belief in their capacity to recover and live a fulfilling life, this will be apparent and impact the relationship.
- Respect and acceptance. Maintaining your professional boundaries is necessary, but be willing to respect each person you meet, accept their feelings and decisions, and work collaboratively with them. Remember most, if not all of those with mental illness have suffered severe trauma and most, if not all have been stigmatized at every encounter with the health system. It is our role to change this and support their recovery journey.
In summary, your working relationship with this person is to support them to be in the driver’s seat of their recovery — this means helping to inform them about evidence-based options, possibilities, and potential supports. Support the individual in reflecting on their experiences and trust them to make the best decision for their current situation. Remaining non-judgmental, being aware, and talking about risk with the individual can emphasize the opportunity to learn from experience.