Establishing relationships in speech-language therapy when working alongside people with mental health disorders

The following example is taken from the beginning of a session between a psychotherapist and a client (Ferrara, 1999, p. 347). (Transcription conventions throughout this chapter are taken from Eggins & Slade, 1997, p. 5 – see Appendix.)

Client: I thought most of today that I had so much to tell you. . . . Now that I’m here! I don’t have much else to . . . tell you.