My 10-year-old son tells me regularly what is and what is not a vibe. This is often referred to as a "vibe check." He complains that homework and bedtime kill his vibe. A vibe is usually referenced as a positive feeling, emotion, impression, or sense unless expressed as bad or negative. My therapy clients use the term non-discriminant of age, culture, and background. 
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My clients share about vibe-checking first dates, new jobs, and recent family interactions. The so-called "Vibe" appears to be a new scaling matrix for me to assess the client's interpretation or, better yet, their interoception of a person, place, or thing. This new shorthand captures clients' impressions and emotions.
 
Not unlike outside the therapy room, there is also a vibe inside to check. A vibe that the client and I curate. I hope it's a sense of safety, respect, and care. I aim for my energy and the atmosphere to be non-judgemental, compassionate, and curious. I invite my clients to report how our relationship is going and if they have positive feelings toward the work and my interventions. I do a vibe check on our professional relationship. I invite feedback and ask clients if they feel we are "vibing." Thankfully, we usually are. 
 
So, in an embarrassing attempt to capture the oh-so-coolness of my clients and son's language, let's vibe.
 
Mandy 

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