Abstract
Objective(s)
This qualitative study aimed to elucidate barriers and facilitators faced by individuals with serious mental illness in establishing positive therapeutic relationships within the public sector.
Method
Twenty‐two individuals, receiving inpatient treatment and near discharge from three state psychiatric facilities, participated. The sample was diverse with respect to gender (60 % male) and race/ethnicity, with a mean age of 40 years (standard deviation = 12.91). Thematic analysis and a contextualist lens were used to analyze the data.
Results
Results indicated that inadequate meeting time, lack of clinically relevant communication, and discrepancies in client/provider perspectives, impeded positive therapeutic relationships. Facilitators to therapeutic relationships included feelings heard and understood by providers, comprehensive, timely discharge plans, and thinking broadly about aftercare.
Conclusions
Cultivating positive therapeutic relationships is especially difficult in resource‐challenged settings. Enhanced client–provider communication and individually tailored aftercare planning can enhance inpatient therapeutic relationships, convey a greater sense of understanding of clients, and facilitate client–provider collaboration.