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Re: benefits of therapy? » m3

Posted by robinibor on January 28, 2002, at 19:59:07

In reply to benefits of therapy? (longish), posted by m3 on January 28, 2002, at 18:56:52

HI. I'm sending the section called "Choosing a Therapist" from http://www.undoingdepression.com
I hope it helps with your second question. As for the first, I guess most people who have the "right" therapist believe they benefit from their therapy.

> I guess a related question is, how is a "newcomer"
> (someone who's getting psych. symptoms for the first time)
> supposed to pick a doctor? It seems odd to me that we're just
> supposed to go by whether we feel a rapport with them, when
> 1) they (i.e. mental health professionals) presumably have strong and
> differing views of what's the best way to treat people, and
> 2) most of us know nothing, at least up front, about the different
> options.
>
> I guess what I'm getting at is, an educated mental health professional
> who was getting symptoms would presumably make a choice of shrink
> based on methodology, but your average patient can't. Seems strange
> to me...anyone else feel the same?

Choosing a Therapist

If I were depressed and seeking a therapist I would consider the following factors:

1.My gut reactions-is this someone I feel that I can like and trust? Do I feel at ease? Do I have any reservations? Psychotherapy is the one chance we get in modern life to tell the absolute truth about ourselves. Is this person someone I feel can bear that responsibility?
2.References. Talk to friends, your minister, your doctor. A casual professional relationship isn't a good reference. You want to talk to someone who knows the therapist well-former patients are best.
3.The therapist's experience with depressed patients, including familiarity with cognitive and interpersonal techniques, which are recognized as especially effective with depression.
4.The therapist's openness to medication as part of treatment.
5.The therapist's willingness to be active and directive when it's called for, not to assume that listening by itself is enough, or that the patient's needs for advice or reassurance are childish and should be ignored.

These last three factors are things you should definitely ask directly of the therapist. We are not gods, though some of us think so, and we will not be offended by direct questions. If you find a therapist who is offended, go find another therapist. As a matter of fact, it's best if you can to see two or three people for an initial consultation, and choose the one you feel can be most helpful.


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