My style tends to be a better fit for people who prefer less formality.
Radical genuineness is the idea that your therapist should be authentic enough with you in session--meaning they should behave enough like themselves--that if you see them in a restaurant talking to their friends, you recognize them.
In my experience, therapy works best when I can respond to you in an authentic way that reflects my actual reactions; this means you might get "Holy shit, they SAID that?" instead of "And how did that feel to you?"
I don't have a "therapist voice," and as long as you don't have any objections, I swear just as much in session as I do at home. I relate to you as one human to another, not as an expert to a student.
Caitlin Cave (Alago)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker