How to master the Art of Silence in Therapy ?

Thirty minutes into the session, *crickets start chirping*! Strange, considering the session is indoors today. The therapist continues to gaze at the client, hoping they’ll say something. However, the client remains silent, creating a tense atmosphere. The only sounds are the squeaky chair of the therapist and the unsettling cricket noise. *Cut to the blog*- I can guarantee that you’ve either experienced a situation like this in the past or may encounter one in the future. As mental health professionals, we are always taught to “sit through the silence.” While we navigate these moments, how can we make the most of them? Should we simply wait for the client to speak up, or is there a creative approach we can use to encourage them to open up ?

In order to understand or let alone master this art, let us see the advantages of it:

• The waiting period gives clients the opportunity to reflect on their feelings and emotions, which also helps to establish trust between the client and the therapist.

• If a client has recently experienced something overwhelming, it may take time for them to discuss it. Therefore, it is often best for them to first emotionally process what they are feeling.

• Lastly, the therapist can use this time to mentally prepare for how to proceed with the session. They can also summarize the key points that the client has discussed so far. Most importantly, this quiet time will help the therapist cultivate the art of patience.

  But the *crickets chirping* sounds are still on during this time as well. So let us look at ways wherein we can hold onto the silence and creatively introduce interventions without breaking it:

  1. To continue with the silence, try using a creative approach. This can be an effective way to express the client's emotions meaningfully. If you are trained in art or play therapy, you can use their silence to encourage them to share how they are currently feeling artistically.

2. If the individual is not very interested in a particular activity, encourage them to start small. Ask them to engage their five senses as much as possible. For example, you can inquire about something they saw today that they liked or a familiar scent they appreciated.

3. Utilize the method of Motivational Interviewing, focusing on its well-known technique, OARS. Begin by asking open-ended questions to encourage the client to share at their own pace. If they seem closed off, provide affirmations and reassure them that moments of silence are acceptable and can be an important part of the process.

4. The identity Passport Activity (Narrative Therapy Tool) — Passport Page consists of — Name, Age, “Country of Origin” (e.g., Land of Resilience), Languages (e.g., phrases they often hear about themselves, Roles (based on others’ expectations), The Suitcase: Inside stickers: Drawings or emojis representing emotional baggage, Outside Stickers: Hopes, dreams, or future identities, Name Tag: Strengths or values they want to carry forward. And as they “travel,” they begin rewriting their personal story—on their terms.

I hope these methods will be effective for you at some point in your professional journey. They should also reflect positively on your personal growth and help you recognize that you are an incredible therapist—or will be one in the future! Be sure to take note of these methods for when you might need them. The Zensible team is dedicated to helping you make a significant impact in your careers, and we truly hope these insights assist you. Until the next blog post, take care of yourselves, wonderful therapists!