A solid therapeutic association forms the foundation of clinical intervention and is essential while treating a patient with complex psychological conditions like dissociative disorders. Therefore, one would strive to develop a rapport with the patient during the initial meeting and help them feel welcomed, notwithstanding the unfamiliar environment. It is also appropriate to understand that therapeutic relationships take a long time to develop. It is usually the only guarantee that a strong, close, and trusting relationship can be forged, which is particularly essential for dissociative disorders clients haunted by past traumas (Larsen & Witoszek, 2023). A neutral environment enhances the quality of therapy sessions by enabling the client to express deep-seated thoughts and emotions while hearing. Therapists must also avoid judging the clients and focus on treating them with compassion, avoiding offering advice on sensitive matters like religion. A therapist must always take charge of each session, providing a sense of direction and focusing on managing their emotions. An open patient-therapist dialogue has to be conducted on the primary objectives of each therapy session, enabling the client to comprehend better what they need from it and how to achieve set goals (Lawton et al., 2018). Therapists must never forget that their patients are vulnerable persons requiring high-quality care and attention, which they efficiently provide. If they are unable to meet the client’s need, they must make a purposive decision to discontinue the services referring them to another therapist.
Ethical and legal considerations must always be considered during patient treatment to guarantee adherence to the highest standards of professional practice. Basically, clients presenting the symptoms of dissociative diseases have a right to understand the preliminary diagnosis (Bailey et al., 2019). Relaying this information during the initial meeting is essential in guiding treatment based on the most nessesally treatment option. The treatment option must also be based on a client’s individual needs. Clients confessing to having frequent self-harm intellection should be placed under suicide watch as failure to do so may have severe implications for a therapist and respective healthcare provider.
Personality and paraphilic disorders are controversial in the psychology industry, with most professional beliefs and ethical considerations surrounding diagnosing and treating such conditions. Dissociative disorders display challenges for mental health professionals, with differing beliefs about their existence and suitable therapeutic strategies. Despite these controversies, clinicians must maintain a solid therapeutic relationship with their clients, considering all ethical and legal implications when treating the disorders. By staying informed and employing evidence-based practice, mental health professionals can offer effective care for individuals with complex conditions.
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Bailey, T. D., Boyer, S. M., & Brand, B. L. (2019). Dissociative disorders. Diagnostic interviewing, 401-424. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9127-3_16
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