Successful stories are driven by authentic and interesting characters, so it’s important to craft them carefully. But characters don’t usually exist in a vacuum; throughout the course of your story, they’ll live, work, play, and fight with other cast members. Some of those relationships are positive and supportive, pushing the protagonist to positive growth and helping them achieve their goals. Other relationships do exactly the opposite—derailing your character’s confidence and self-worth—or they cause friction and conflict that leads to fallout and disruption. Many relationships hover somewhere in the middle. A balanced story will require a mix of these dynamics.
The purpose of this thesaurus is to encourage you to explore the kinds of relationships that might be good for your story and figure out what each might look like. Think about what a character needs (good and bad), and build a network of connections for him or her that will challenge them, showcase their innermost qualities, and bind readers to their relationship trials and triumphs.
The following is just a sample of the content available for this relationship. To see it in its entirety (along with 45+ additional relationship entries), check out our Description Thesaurus Collection at One Stop For Writers.
Therapist and Patient
Description:
A patient visits a therapist to receive treatment and rehabilitation in support of their mental and emotional wellbeing. A therapist’s guidance helps the patient identify their emotions, cope with daily challenges, reduce symptoms of mental illness, and make life choices.
The term “therapist” is a broad one that encompasses social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, life coaches, and more. The label also applies to counselors who deal with marital, family, and substance abuse issues, among others.
Relationship Dynamics
Below are a wide range of dynamics that may accompany this relationship. Use the ideas that suit your story and work best for your characters to bring about and/or resolve the necessary conflict.
A therapist and patient working together willingly to solve a problem
A therapist working with a reluctant patient, such as a teen whose parent is making them attend sessions or an addict partaking in court-enforced rehab
A long-term patient becoming frustrated with their lack of progress and pulling away from the therapist
A therapist becoming too emotionally involved in a patient’s situation
A needy patient demanding too much time or attention from their therapist
Challenges That Could Threaten The Status Quo
The therapist quitting their practice
The patient or therapist relocating
Insurance changing for either the patient or the therapist’s practice
Either party developing feelings beyond the professional relationship
The therapist gossiping about the patient
Either party accusing the other of inappropriate conduct
The patient suffering a severe setback (a relapse, family tragedy, job loss, breakup, etc.)
Someone the patient knows receiving care from the same therapist
Clashing Personality Trait Combinations
Persuasive and Gullible, Dishonest and Honorable, Courteous and Disrespectful, Judgmental and Oversensitive, Independent and Needy, Ambitious and Lazy, Discreet and Gossipy, Confrontational and Timid, Nurturing and Withdrawn
Negative Outcomes of Friction
The patient quitting therapy
The therapist refusing to see the patient
The patient becoming jaded and cynical about therapy
Ways This Relationship May Lead to Positive Change
A patient learning that not all relationships are untrustworthy
A patient feeling validated and understood
Both parties learning to compromise
Themes and Symbols That Can Be Explored through This Relationship
A fall from grace, Alienation, A quest for knowledge, Beginnings, Deception, Depression, Disorder, Freedom, Friendship, Health, Hope, Illness, Innocence, Journeys, Loss, Mystery, Obstacles, Perseverance, Recognition, Refuge, Sacrifice, Stagnation, Suffering, Teamwork, Transformation, Vulnerability
Other Relationship Thesaurus entries can be found here.
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Becca Puglisi is an international speaker, writing coach, and bestselling author of The Emotion Thesaurus and its sequels. Her books are available in five languages, are sourced by US universities, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, editors, and psychologists around the world. She is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge with others through her Writers Helping Writers blog and via One Stop For Writers—a powerhouse online library created to help writers elevate their storytelling.