‘The Relationship Place’

As many of you know the Arbours Crisis Centre is a unique place. The previous papers have told you something about our work and our ideology, which is what makes us unique. The most important aspect of this is our ability to develop relationships. In her paper Cath discussed the resident therapists' ability to establish relationships with the guests, while Maggie pointed out the importance of this relationship as well as the one between the resident therapists and the team leaders.

This is what our work is about. It is through relationships that we gain the satisfaction of knowing that we have been able to help someone. But the opportunity for this to happen can only occur because of the relationship which the guests allow us to build with them.

For many of the people who come to the Crisis Centre for help, this special relationship is one in which they are the main participant: where they can talk, they can be heard and where they wish to understand and be understood. This is an experience which they may not have had for a long time, often never. As Joe said in his introduction, ‘therapeutic healing lies in calm, containing, considerate and considered relationships’. But more than this, through their experience at the Centre, guests are able to find more of themselves. They can, as Joe went on to say, ‘serve as effective helpers both to new guests and to the resident therapists’, thereby finding a value and worth in what they themselves can give, and a renewed belief in the vitality of relationships.

Relationships are the mainstay of the Crisis Centre, but not only relationships within the Centre itself. There are many other relationships that have nurtured, nourished and sustained the Centre over its 25 years, starting at the beginning with the relationship between Joseph Berke and Morton Schatzman. Our relationship with the other Arbours facilities and with our Trustees has given us advice and support. Similarly, we have gained professional and financial support and