What Every Client Should Hear From Their Therapist

Jul 24

Child looking up at a yellow wall that has a quote in script that reads, “believe in yourself”.

By Jessica Jordan, MS. OTR/L

Why Is Reassurance So Important in Therapy?

As humans, we all need reassurance. It’s a core part of our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Reassurance helps build trust, strengthen communication, and ease anxiety, whether in relationships, friendships, or therapy. I know I seek reassurance in my own relationships, especially with my partner. So, of course, it’s just as essential in the relationship between a client and their therapist. In occupational therapy, we want every individual to feel safe, supported, and seen, and reassurance plays a big part in that.

Affirmations Every Client Should Hear.

Here are a few of our favorite affirmations we regularly say to the individuals we serve:

I believe in YOU.
Just because you cannot do this today doesn’t mean you won’t be able to one day.
I’m so very proud of you. You should be proud of your hard work and yourself.
It may not feel like it right now, but it’s all figure-outable—we’ll figure this out together.
Look at how far you’ve come.
Let’s take one step at a time. I’m here with you.
You were made to do hard things. You can do this.

We don’t say these things lightly. We know that affirmations, especially when coming from a trusted, safe source can help rebuild confidence, anchor regulation, and keep someone moving forward even on the hard days.

How to Give a Meaningful Affirmation

We like to be clear in our communication. As Brene Brown says, “Clear is kind.” And we live by that in our work. When we give praise or encouragement, we focus on these key points:

Be specific. Talk about a particular action, effort, or challenge the individual overcame. This is more than just “good job”.
Be genuine. If you don’t mean it, don’t say it. Authenticity matters.
Be mindful of tone. Avoid a condescending or overly sing-song voice. Too much excitement, a baby voice, or exaggerated praise can affect how someone’s nervous system interprets your intent and may create disconnection rather than safety.

Affirmations should help someone feel more regulated and competent, and not come across as performative.

Want to Go Deeper Into The Power of Affirmations?

If you’re curious about the real impact of affirmations and how to use them with intention, action, and follow through, check out our Foundations in Apraxic Autism Course. In this course, you’ll learn how to believe and embody what you’re affirming because we don’t want to just say the words… we want them to become your reality.

Helpful Links

Was this post helpful or did it spark your curiosity? If you’re looking for deeper support, we’ve created a course and curated resources to help families, caregivers, and professionals better understand the motor and regulation challenges many nonspeaking and apraxic autistic individuals experience.

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