As is true in any of the helping professions, there are good providers, bad providers and those that are downright damaging. It is a sad situation when the very person whom you turn to for help, is capable of therapy abuse. Fortunately, some of his actions may alert you to the fact that you should seek another therapist.
Trust any feelings you experience during your first appointment. You may sense it if something is not right. It is a mistake to continue with any counselor you are not comfortable with. It could lead to additional problems instead of resolving the ones you have.
There are features of therapy that can alert clients to the fact that a therapist does not use good tactics. You can then turn to another therapist and describe your treatment. If he does not know the one you are doubting, you can obtain an objective opinion on the validity of the treatment being provided.
You should be able to sense some progress after three or four appointments. You can expect a prediction of how long treatment might take. Most psychological counseling is not extended longer than necessary.
No client should be overly dependent on a therapist. If the therapy seems to be radically different from what your friends have told you, that may be a strong warning signal. You should feel free to question the therapist as to why he is using those tactics. If you are uncomfortable about confronting him, that is not a good sign.
You may be encouraged to stop spending time with the wrong people. This group would include those who drink or take drugs. It might be a romantic interest who is physically abusive. But, you should not be discouraged from staying away from family members or friends at school you enjoy spending time with.
That would be a definite sign that your therapist is someone you should not be spending time with. Any physical contact is not acceptable. Even when a patient encourages such advances, it is up to the professional to stop it.
The psychologist is a person and may have human problems and frailties. They should not be a topic to discuss during your sessions. You are the focus of the therapy, not the therapist.
There are other caveats to be aware of. If any of these arise consider them as serious warnings. You may be offered an unrealistically low price for your treatment. While many offer a sliding scale so they can accommodate everyone, it should be an amount that is adequate compensation.
If your insurer is billed for sessions that did not take place, that is an illegal act known as insurance fraud. If you neglect to report it you could be considered as an accomplice. If you finance your therapy without using insurance, the counselor should not allow you to miss payments or be consistently late in paying.
Always demand to be treated with respect. Also, do not hesitate to question anything that may seem suspicious. It is difficult to stand up to a therapist when you are insecure to begin with. However, if there are any doubts about the validity of your treatment, change to a different psychologist.
Trust any feelings you experience during your first appointment. You may sense it if something is not right. It is a mistake to continue with any counselor you are not comfortable with. It could lead to additional problems instead of resolving the ones you have.
There are features of therapy that can alert clients to the fact that a therapist does not use good tactics. You can then turn to another therapist and describe your treatment. If he does not know the one you are doubting, you can obtain an objective opinion on the validity of the treatment being provided.
You should be able to sense some progress after three or four appointments. You can expect a prediction of how long treatment might take. Most psychological counseling is not extended longer than necessary.
No client should be overly dependent on a therapist. If the therapy seems to be radically different from what your friends have told you, that may be a strong warning signal. You should feel free to question the therapist as to why he is using those tactics. If you are uncomfortable about confronting him, that is not a good sign.
You may be encouraged to stop spending time with the wrong people. This group would include those who drink or take drugs. It might be a romantic interest who is physically abusive. But, you should not be discouraged from staying away from family members or friends at school you enjoy spending time with.
That would be a definite sign that your therapist is someone you should not be spending time with. Any physical contact is not acceptable. Even when a patient encourages such advances, it is up to the professional to stop it.
The psychologist is a person and may have human problems and frailties. They should not be a topic to discuss during your sessions. You are the focus of the therapy, not the therapist.
There are other caveats to be aware of. If any of these arise consider them as serious warnings. You may be offered an unrealistically low price for your treatment. While many offer a sliding scale so they can accommodate everyone, it should be an amount that is adequate compensation.
If your insurer is billed for sessions that did not take place, that is an illegal act known as insurance fraud. If you neglect to report it you could be considered as an accomplice. If you finance your therapy without using insurance, the counselor should not allow you to miss payments or be consistently late in paying.
Always demand to be treated with respect. Also, do not hesitate to question anything that may seem suspicious. It is difficult to stand up to a therapist when you are insecure to begin with. However, if there are any doubts about the validity of your treatment, change to a different psychologist.
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