This evening in class my professor asked us, "How do you get the client to trust you?" And I said, "Through the relationship." Then she asked, "And how do you go about that?" And as a class we said, creating a safe environment for emotional expression, and first and foremost.... always be honest with the client.

I thought about my T and how hard he has worked to create a safe place for me to express myself. To this day he asks me, "What can I do to make it safer for you?" There's a lot I still can't say. I don't think it's because I don't trust him specifically... but maybe I just don't trust the solidity of the relationship yet... meaning I am too focused on the fear of abandonment. Do I trust him not to leave me? It depends. No, I don't think he's going to call me up one day and say, "I've had enough... don't come back." But I am constantly afraid that something will occur to rip this away from me.

As far as the honesty... I couldn't agree more with what was said in my class tonight. When the therapist is as honest and authentic as possible it really helps to build trust.

And there are many non-verbal cues. I can honestly say that the thing that makes me trust my therapist the most is the look in his eyes when I tell him something. He doesn't have to say anything. I can trust what he's feeling.