"Client" or "Patient"?

[Jenny]

As far as I understand person-centered therapists normally like to use the term 'client' as this helps put the client and therapist more on an equal footing..

I think Freud (and psychoanalytic therapy still does?) used to call people patients.. because it was more of an analysis, i.e. the therapist had the knowledge and the patient would go to be analysed/told what was wrong with them.

I personally much prefer 'client' as 'patient' makes it sound like someone else is going to fix me and they have all the answers but i don't. Actually i think the answers and knowledge is all within myself - i just need some help and support to get to it!

Interestingly i work for a Drug and Alcohol Unit at the NHS and we call people "clients" even though technically they're patients. I do prefer it and it gives more autonomy somehow to the clients..

Did any of that make any sense!? What are your thoughts :)

[TDM]

I personally prefer 'client'. It sounds more... I dont know. I guess it sounds more professional.

[Old Wolf]

I prefer client - patient some how denotes sickness and our clients are far from sick - just varied degrees of distress!?

[Jenny]

Yes and as a 'client' its almost as if you have more control. 'Clients' in business terms can say what they want and have some control in the process..

.. whereas 'patients' (in my opinion) sounds like it's more in the doctor's, or whoever, control and power to fix.

Or maybe i have control issues! :awww:

[Daisychain]

I prefer patient,it sounds more professional..

I just noticed TDM said client sounds more professional lol

The term patient just fits into the surroundings of counselling better than client ,IMO. :)

[Fluffy Flowers]

I prefer client. My therapist says both, I think, but neither really bothers me. She sees me at a hospital so I am a patient.

Actually, thinking about it, I wonder if I prefer client in some moods and patient in others. Like I wonder if I prefer patient when I an feeling lost and scared and need to be looked over, but maybe client when I'm feeling more in control. Or something.

I don't know, interesting question though.

[TDM]

I've just reaised that my counsellor doesn't actually say either. She always says a student, or a parent, or teacher, probably just because of the school setting though.

TDM

[shrinknightmare]

the shrink I see referred to me as a 'patient' I think patient is more for medical illness, such as a broken leg. The last counsellor I saw referred to them as "people" I see a number of people. I like people better.

[LostInThought]

I prefer Patient.
Client sounds as though, they are trying to sell you some thing...

[PinotGrigio]

:) I prefer client - I feel that the term patient would make me sound 'ill' rather than simply messed up! Maybe that's just a paranoia of mine - not sure :o We shall see what I think when I FIND a counsellor

[andyhp]

the shrink I see referred to me as a 'patient' I think patient is more for medical illness, such as a broken leg. The last counsellor I saw referred to them as "people" I see a number of people. I like people better.

Yes, I like that better too.