Having listened to people for a long time, I believe many of us should be thankful not to be shot.
The first goal is for the clinician to find the patient, and the patient to find the clinician, as both are required for a real alliance.
Many patients cannot hear until they feel heard.
An argument can be made that relationship building is the treatment.
Above all, the clinician must not shake what little faith the patient has in himself.
The slow compromise, or even surrender, of our fondest hopes is a regular feature of normal human life.