23 Ways to Show Support to Your Therapy Clients

23 Ways To Say, “I’m here for you” to Your Therapy Clients

As a clinical social worker at ReachLink, there are countless ways to express support to your clients, even without explicitly saying “I’m here for you.” Your actions, behaviors, and therapeutic approach can convey this message effectively through telehealth sessions.

Consider these various methods to communicate support without stating it directly. Reflect on whether these suggestions already form part of your therapeutic relationships. If not, you might decide to incorporate them into your practice to strengthen the therapeutic alliance with your clients.

Research indicates that humans have a fundamental need for connection, and clients, especially those facing mental health challenges, benefit from a strong therapeutic relationship and consistent support. A client’s experience of a supportive and healthy bond with their therapist has significant advantages for their treatment outcomes and overall wellbeing. Feeling valued by their therapist, clients develop greater resilience and improved ability to navigate life’s challenges.

Demonstrating your support through therapeutic actions can be just as vital as verbal reassurance. Whether it’s attentive listening or providing personalized resources, these 23 suggestions aim to strengthen your therapeutic alliance and foster your clients’ sense of emotional safety, growth, and healing.

1. Practice collaborative goal-setting

Strategies such as collaborative goal-setting, where therapists work with clients to establish clear and achievable objectives, may help clients develop moral identity and personal agency early in the therapeutic process.

As opposed to more directive approaches, collaborative goal-setting aims to foster client autonomy, which may strengthen the therapeutic relationship between you and your client.

2. Model healthy boundaries

Modeling healthy boundaries in the therapeutic relationship may help your clients develop stronger relationships in their personal lives. You can focus on demonstrating clear communication, honesty, compassion, and self-respect. You may want to discuss what unhealthy relationship patterns look like so your clients can identify them in their own lives.

3. Seek their feedback

Asking your clients what they find helpful or unhelpful in therapy, or their opinion on treatment approaches, can help you understand what matters to them. If you know your client’s preferred communication style, for instance, you might adapt your approach accordingly during video sessions. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to express support, show your clients that you value their input and respect their preferences.

4. Acknowledge therapeutic progress

Therapists who recognize clients’ efforts in therapy may help build resilience to various challenges. To be effective, you should genuinely acknowledge specific accomplishments.

For example, rather than making general comments about improvement, you could focus on specific positive changes you’ve observed. Try to highlight progress that reflects the client’s own efforts and agency.

This practice may help build self-efficacy and motivation as well as communicate support. One example might be, “I’ve noticed how consistently you’ve been practicing those mindfulness techniques we discussed, and how thoughtfully you’re applying them to challenging situations.”

5. Celebrate therapeutic milestones

Celebrating both significant breakthroughs and small steps forward can boost your client’s confidence, making them feel supported in their therapeutic journey. Acknowledging their progress will not only validate their efforts but also show them that you’re invested in their growth, reinforcing your support without explicitly stating it.

6. Validate their emotional experiences

Instead of minimizing or redirecting when clients express difficult emotions, consider validating their feelings and offering empathetic understanding. Many clients struggle with emotional regulation, so teaching them that their feelings are normal, and it’s okay to experience tough times can help them develop better self-compassion and emotional management skills.

7. Maintain consistent session structure

Maintaining reliable session structure and consistency in your telehealth appointments may improve the therapeutic relationship and enhance treatment outcomes.

8. Normalize setbacks in recovery

Teaching your clients that setbacks are a natural part of the healing process rather than failures may help them maintain motivation and resilience throughout their therapeutic journey.

9. Practice active listening

Actively listening to your clients’ concerns without judgment, distractions, or premature interpretation may strengthen your therapeutic relationship and encourage them to open up more fully during sessions.

10. Discuss societal influences

With social media and constant connectivity, many clients are affected by societal pressures and unrealistic standards. Studies show that 5% of adolescent girls meet the criteria for an eating disorder. Discussing the reality of body image in relation to social media may have a positive impact on your clients’ self-perception.

Having thoughtful conversations about how societal factors influence mental health can help address any confusion or distress your clients may experience, and open discussions can help build critical thinking and self-compassion.

11. Make therapeutic exercises engaging

Making therapeutic homework and exercises more engaging can increase client participation and effectiveness. For example, you could frame mindfulness practices as explorations rather than assignments. Or you could suggest tracking mood patterns using a creative journal approach with colors and visual elements.

12. Engage in meaningful therapeutic dialogue

Having in-depth discussions and thoughtfully exploring your clients’ questions may build trust and encourage curiosity about their own mental health. When your client asks about the therapeutic process, you may want to avoid technical jargon, and instead use it as an opportunity to have a deeper conversation about how therapy works, perhaps sharing evidence-based information about the effectiveness of specific approaches for their concerns.

13. Suggest reflective journaling

Encouraging clients to keep a reflective journal between sessions can help them express themselves and develop self-awareness. You could suggest adding observations about emotional patterns, recording successes in applying therapeutic skills, or noting questions to discuss in future sessions.

A journal from the beginning of therapy can show clients how far they’ve come when reviewing progress later in treatment.

14. Explore personal narratives

Looking at patterns and stories from your client’s life experiences, family history, and formative relationships may help them feel more connected to their authentic self and understand the origins of their current challenges. Having these reflective conversations during a video session can create a profound therapeutic experience.

15. Prioritize crisis planning

Clients may experience mental health crises between sessions. Show your clients that you take their safety seriously by developing clear crisis plans. If your client discloses thoughts of self-harm or experiences of mistreatment or abuse, follow up appropriately with referrals to appropriate emergency services and take their concerns seriously.

16. Ask specific follow-up questions

Asking specific questions about topics your client has previously discussed, such as how a difficult conversation with a family member went or what they noticed when practicing a new coping skill, shows genuine interest and may lead to more meaningful therapeutic dialogue than general check-ins.

Questions you can ask during follow-up:

• What was most challenging about practicing that skill this week?
• How did that conversation compare to what you anticipated?
• What patterns have you noticed since our last session?
• What surprised you most about your reactions?
• What are you proud of accomplishing since we last spoke?

Many clients report feeling more comfortable opening up when they sense that their therapist remembers and cares about their individual experiences. This personalized attention conveys a deeper level of support beyond words.

By integrating these approaches into your clinical practice, you not only strengthen the therapeutic alliance but also foster a sense of emotional safety and empowerment for your clients. Remember, expressing “I’m here for you” is as much about demonstrating consistent care and understanding as it is about verbalizing it. Every supportive action, whether it’s a thoughtful question or a genuine acknowledgment, contributes profoundly to your clients’ healing journey.

Ultimately, your dedication to these nuanced expressions of support can transform therapy into a truly collaborative and healing experience, helping your clients feel seen, heard, and valued every step of the way.