General Questions:
Psychologists tend to not use the term mental illness to describe psychological problems because there is confusion about what the label really means. Some people have a false impression that psychologists only treat mentally ill individuals, and if you just have a problem with anxiety, an addiction, or "everyday problems" you should see someone else. As a consequence, some people may contact counselors, with much less training than a licensed psychologist, when they need help to resolve a psychological problem.
People usually decide to talk to a therapist when the pain of what they are trying to cope with becomes too big for them to handle on their own and they recognize they need help.? For more ideas, this previous blog post gives 10 reasons why you may want to see a therapist.
There are lots of very good therapists out there–doing all types of therapy.? However, studies show that more important than the type of therapy, the biggest indicator of client success is the therapeutic relationship that develops between the therapist and client.? In other words…there needs to be a ‘good fit’.
Lying on a couch is no longer required!? Instead, clients come into an office (that’s usually quite comfortable) and talk to the therapist.? Sometimes the therapist will have a plan for what to talk about during that session; at other times, the client drives the conversation.
While therapists learn various types of therapies (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, etc.), therapy is also an art.? Every client is different, with different needs for the amount of time they will be seeing a therapist.Personally, I operate from the perspective of ‘this is your therapy’ and you get to choose.? If a client is in crisis, then I suggest meeting weekly until things become more stable.? Once the crisis is past, we move to bi-weekly or even monthly.? It depends on what the client chooses as well as what is in their best interest therapeutically.? Ethically, a therapist shouldn’t want a client to have to come forever.? The overall goal is that people feel better and go back to their lives.
Services Questions:
Some therapists (myself included) carry confidentiality into the community.? I inform clients that if I see them in the community I will not say hello.? I don’t want to put anyone is a situation where they have to explain how they know me.? I am always open to speaking to clients outside of the office, but they get to make first contact.