3 answers
Amaya
Student
Rochester, Minnesota
5
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As a PMH or mental health professional What do you Think the best way to connect to patients is ? ?
I'm doing a research project for jobs I'm interested in and was wondering what you felt helped the best when connecting with patients.
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3 answers
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
202
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Amaya! 🌟
First of all, great job on diving into such a meaningful question for your research project! Connecting with patients as a PMH (Psychiatric Mental Health) professional is like being a superhero, but with a lot more talking and a lot fewer capes. 🦸♀️✨ Here’s my take on what works best:
1. Genuine Empathy – Like, Really Genuinely
How to do it: Forget the “I’m pretending to care” vibe. Patients can totally tell when you're not being real. To truly connect, you’ve gotta be like, "I get it, this must be tough," and actually feel it. Drop the therapist persona for a sec and be a human first. It's like saying, "I’m in this with you, not above you."
Why it works: Genuine empathy opens the door to trust. It’s like creating a safe space where the patient feels like they can drop the “mask” and just be. It’s like sharing a secret handshake but in a mental health context. 🤝
2. Humor – The Ultimate Icebreaker
How to do it: A little bit of light humor can go a long way. I’m not talking about cracking jokes during serious moments (that’s awkward, trust me). But in the right situation, a well-timed, non-offensive joke or a funny observation can really help lighten the mood. It shows you’re human, too, and not just a “therapist robot.” 🤖✨
Why it works: Laughter can be therapeutic. It eases tension and makes the patient feel more comfortable. It’s like you’ve just pulled a funny little magic trick out of your pocket, and bam—instant connection! 🎩✨
3. Active Listening – Seriously, Listen
How to do it: Don’t just hear the words; absorb them. Lean in, nod, and throw in a “Tell me more about that!” or “How did that make you feel?” Make sure your patient knows they have your full attention. It’s not about waiting for your turn to speak—it's about truly understanding their world.
Why it works: When a patient feels heard, it’s like you’re handing them a superpower. It builds trust and helps them feel like they're not just another number on your chart. It’s like making them feel like the most important person in the room, because, well... they are! 🎧❤️
4. Creating a Judgment-Free Zone – Be Chill
How to do it: You know those people who just have that vibe where you’re like, “Wow, I can totally be myself around them”? You want to be that person. Show them that no matter what they say or feel, you’re not going to judge. Be open-minded, and remember that their struggles are real, even if you don’t personally get them.
Why it works: When patients feel they can say anything without judgment, they’re more likely to open up. It’s like building a bridge to their soul—and trust me, they’ll be more than willing to walk across. 🌈
5. Patience – Like, A Lot of Patience
How to do it: Sometimes, you’ve got to give the patient time to process. Don’t rush them into answers or expect things to “click” immediately. It’s like making a great cup of coffee—sometimes, it takes a little longer for everything to brew just right. ☕️
Why it works: It gives the patient the space to truly process and articulate their feelings. And when you’re patient, they’re more likely to trust you because they feel respected in their own timing.
6. Be Kind of Like a Mental Health Ninja 🥷
How to do it: You don’t always need to say much. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is just be present. Like, show up with your mental health ninja skills and provide calmness, stability, and kindness, all without saying a word.
Why it works: Silence can speak volumes. You’re there when they need you, and that creates a bond that words alone can’t always capture.
Connecting with patients is about being relatable, kind, and genuinely interested in their stories—not just the textbook symptoms. Be human, listen, and bring in some humor where appropriate. Because in mental health, the best tool isn’t necessarily your degree or fancy words—it’s your ability to simply connect. 🌻
Now go forth, and be the superhero of mental health connections. 🦸♂️ You’ve got this, Amaya! 💫
First of all, great job on diving into such a meaningful question for your research project! Connecting with patients as a PMH (Psychiatric Mental Health) professional is like being a superhero, but with a lot more talking and a lot fewer capes. 🦸♀️✨ Here’s my take on what works best:
1. Genuine Empathy – Like, Really Genuinely
How to do it: Forget the “I’m pretending to care” vibe. Patients can totally tell when you're not being real. To truly connect, you’ve gotta be like, "I get it, this must be tough," and actually feel it. Drop the therapist persona for a sec and be a human first. It's like saying, "I’m in this with you, not above you."
Why it works: Genuine empathy opens the door to trust. It’s like creating a safe space where the patient feels like they can drop the “mask” and just be. It’s like sharing a secret handshake but in a mental health context. 🤝
2. Humor – The Ultimate Icebreaker
How to do it: A little bit of light humor can go a long way. I’m not talking about cracking jokes during serious moments (that’s awkward, trust me). But in the right situation, a well-timed, non-offensive joke or a funny observation can really help lighten the mood. It shows you’re human, too, and not just a “therapist robot.” 🤖✨
Why it works: Laughter can be therapeutic. It eases tension and makes the patient feel more comfortable. It’s like you’ve just pulled a funny little magic trick out of your pocket, and bam—instant connection! 🎩✨
3. Active Listening – Seriously, Listen
How to do it: Don’t just hear the words; absorb them. Lean in, nod, and throw in a “Tell me more about that!” or “How did that make you feel?” Make sure your patient knows they have your full attention. It’s not about waiting for your turn to speak—it's about truly understanding their world.
Why it works: When a patient feels heard, it’s like you’re handing them a superpower. It builds trust and helps them feel like they're not just another number on your chart. It’s like making them feel like the most important person in the room, because, well... they are! 🎧❤️
4. Creating a Judgment-Free Zone – Be Chill
How to do it: You know those people who just have that vibe where you’re like, “Wow, I can totally be myself around them”? You want to be that person. Show them that no matter what they say or feel, you’re not going to judge. Be open-minded, and remember that their struggles are real, even if you don’t personally get them.
Why it works: When patients feel they can say anything without judgment, they’re more likely to open up. It’s like building a bridge to their soul—and trust me, they’ll be more than willing to walk across. 🌈
5. Patience – Like, A Lot of Patience
How to do it: Sometimes, you’ve got to give the patient time to process. Don’t rush them into answers or expect things to “click” immediately. It’s like making a great cup of coffee—sometimes, it takes a little longer for everything to brew just right. ☕️
Why it works: It gives the patient the space to truly process and articulate their feelings. And when you’re patient, they’re more likely to trust you because they feel respected in their own timing.
6. Be Kind of Like a Mental Health Ninja 🥷
How to do it: You don’t always need to say much. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is just be present. Like, show up with your mental health ninja skills and provide calmness, stability, and kindness, all without saying a word.
Why it works: Silence can speak volumes. You’re there when they need you, and that creates a bond that words alone can’t always capture.
Connecting with patients is about being relatable, kind, and genuinely interested in their stories—not just the textbook symptoms. Be human, listen, and bring in some humor where appropriate. Because in mental health, the best tool isn’t necessarily your degree or fancy words—it’s your ability to simply connect. 🌻
Now go forth, and be the superhero of mental health connections. 🦸♂️ You’ve got this, Amaya! 💫
Hansi Gandhi
Consultant
3
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Hansi’s Answer
Knowing that human mind works in a very complex way for each individual - Chinyere has given a great advice here.
I would also ensure that you as a medical professional do not get emotionally embroiled in patient's situation. Empathy works best but also remember at each session that you are in a medical profession and not a 'friend' or 'confidante' to the patient.
Apply the medical knowledge in understanding behavior, body language of the patient to take the first approach. Do not delve right into focusing the patient's problem. Majority of the times 'diverting' the patient to be in a comfortable zone with you helps. Be yourself and project your own individuality as the patient may react negatively to behaviors that are composed to outside world.
Always remember the patient-medical professional relationship is just a job.
Best of Luck!
I would also ensure that you as a medical professional do not get emotionally embroiled in patient's situation. Empathy works best but also remember at each session that you are in a medical profession and not a 'friend' or 'confidante' to the patient.
Apply the medical knowledge in understanding behavior, body language of the patient to take the first approach. Do not delve right into focusing the patient's problem. Majority of the times 'diverting' the patient to be in a comfortable zone with you helps. Be yourself and project your own individuality as the patient may react negatively to behaviors that are composed to outside world.
Always remember the patient-medical professional relationship is just a job.
Best of Luck!
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
626
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Amaya,
Fantastic question! As a Psychiatric Mental Health (PMH) professional, I believe the best way to connect with patients is by showing "genuine empathy and active listening". People often just want to feel heard and understood, and taking the time to truly listen to their stories—without judgment—builds trust and rapport.
Another key aspect is to meet patients where they are emotionally. Sometimes this means being patient when they’re not ready to open up or offering small steps toward progress rather than overwhelming solutions.
I also find that being authentic and approachable helps. Patients can sense when someone genuinely cares, and even small things like maintaining eye contact, using a warm tone of voice, or remembering details about their lives can make a big difference.
Lastly, building connections takes time, so consistency and reliability are essential. Being someone they know they can count on helps create a safe space where healing can begin
Best wishes!
Fantastic question! As a Psychiatric Mental Health (PMH) professional, I believe the best way to connect with patients is by showing "genuine empathy and active listening". People often just want to feel heard and understood, and taking the time to truly listen to their stories—without judgment—builds trust and rapport.
Another key aspect is to meet patients where they are emotionally. Sometimes this means being patient when they’re not ready to open up or offering small steps toward progress rather than overwhelming solutions.
I also find that being authentic and approachable helps. Patients can sense when someone genuinely cares, and even small things like maintaining eye contact, using a warm tone of voice, or remembering details about their lives can make a big difference.
Lastly, building connections takes time, so consistency and reliability are essential. Being someone they know they can count on helps create a safe space where healing can begin
Best wishes!