New clients can be difficult to work with, especially in terms of creating an organic emotional connection. Such a connection is important for a tight-knit client-therapist relationship. This can be achieved by building trust — something that’s definitely easier said than done.
Building trust with a stranger is challenging, but especially in a therapeutic environment where clients feel vulnerable. The sheer effort to encourage trust can be tiring — and even all for nothing if clients don’t budge. That’s precisely why modern therapy is shifting away from explicit trust-building mechanisms to more subtle methods, such as the use of color.
THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND CLIENTS AND COLORS
Color therapy treats ailments using colors. It typically involves shining a light onto colored crystals or different parts of the human body. Instead of directly practicing color therapy, try subtly integrating it into your office design.
This could be done with colored lamps, or simply using a Timeqube Mind. A Timeqube Mind is a cube that indicates the passing of time with color instead of ominous ticking. This eliminates the need for therapists to constantly glance at a watch and make clients feel nervous. Besides this, the Timeqube Mind’s colors promote a comfortable therapeutic environment.
Colors holistically bring balance to the mind and body; having an object with soothing color-changes improves mood and overall mental health. The science behind this directly relates to cognitive behavior. Colors generate electrical impulses in our brain. This stimulates hormonal and biochemical processes in our body. These mechanisms promote a calm, peaceful mood which makes building client-therapist trust much easier.
WHICH COLORS WORK BEST?
Different clients respond to different colors — but there is a general color trend that boosts comfort and trust. Blue and purple are great for calming, while green promotes positivity. Yellow and orange are associated with empowerment and happiness.
HOW SHOULD THESE COLORS BE USED?
During a session, you can start with green to break through any initial awkwardness and encourage the client to enter the conversation with a positive mindset. You can then build up the session with yellow and orange as the conversation flows, issues are discussed and realizations are made. As time slowly runs out, opt for a nice blue or purple such that the session can be wrapped up in a stress-free manner. That’s exactly how Timeqube programs its colors — from teal to yellow, yellow to orange, and finally orange to violet. If this color scheme doesn’t suit your client’s needs, you can always opt for another! Ultimately, all that matters is that the colors fit your clients and they are muted, gentle shades.
This seamless, distraction-free transition of color is the perfect way to guide the progress of a therapy session using visual cues. At the same time, this method also promotes a calm environment to build trust. Ultimately, if you’re yearning for an authentic means of building client-therapist trust, this could be a fun and stress-free way to do so.
