I was musing about how these terms often seem interchangeable to therapists and in mental health discussions in general, including on here. Maybe it seems odd to me because of my language background, but etymologically patient originally meant "sufferer" while client meant "follower/obeyer." (And yet client is supposed to be the term that indicates greater equality.)

I dislike both terms as applied to therapy actually but can't think of an English word to replace them. (There's probably a German one, though.). Thoughts?

Eta: that's supposed to be helPs in the last poll option.