Skeptic about therapy?
This reading might help you guide your decision.
1. Be a safe listener. How many times have you shared your vulnerabilities with a friend and ended up regretting it? A significant portion of a therapist’s training is to become an unbiased, non-judgmental, empathetic, objective, and supportive listener. The therapist’s focus is on you, and their only goal is to assist you.
2. Help you build long-lasting skills.
Therapists use evidence-based techniques to approach human behavior and cognition. Depending on the root of your problem, your therapist will teach you relevant tools to improve your behavior and ways of thinking. Learning a new skill is a life-long compensation; that is why everything you gain from therapy stays with you forever.
3. Help you reduce the manifestations of mental illnesses.
You will know that your therapy sessions were effective once you see a reduction or improvement in your symptoms. My recommendation is that you are very clear about a particular symptom you want to improve so your therapist can focus on that, and you can both track it over time.
4. Diagnose mental health conditions.
Although many therapists prefer to stay away from labeling their clients, they are capable and lawfully approved to diagnose. Therapists use diagnoses to conceptualize the client’s story, establish a research-based treatment plan, and bill your insurance. Do not underestimate a therapist that is not openly diagnosing you; they merely prefer to see you as a human being to stay away from bias and stigma.
5. Challenge limiting beliefs and give constructive feedback — not advice. This is how you can differentiate a coach from a therapist. A therapist will not tell you what to do. Instead, they will guide you into becoming your own coach — so you will not have to hire one. A therapist’s job is to challenge you with questions and feedback to encourage you to break down barriers towards change.
6. Promise confidentiality.
A need for privacy is one of the primary reasons why people choose to enter a counseling relationship. A therapist is someone you can trust as they have the legal obligation to protect your story and your identifiable information. Your therapist cannot confirm/deny a family member that you are receiving services (unless they have your written approval). Your story will be safe with them.
Disclaimer. Limitations to confidentiality include the following: 1. If the client may be an immediate danger to themselves or others 2. If there is suspicion that the client is endangering a population that cannot protect itself, such as the case of a child or the elderly 3. To share diagnosis information as necessary to obtain payment for services (there must be written consent from the client). 4. As required by federal or state laws
7. Advocate for you. A good therapist will root for you. They will find ways to empower you, and your need for treatment. A therapist will help you address potential barriers in your community and find resources to promote personal growth.
8. Protect your best interest. It is common to attend therapy in a state of vulnerability. Thus, mental health counselors have the ethical responsibility to be benevolent, and “above all, do no harm.” Your therapist will make sure to create a safeguard to respect your dignity and welfare at all times.
Your Hustler,
Daniela Marin, MS
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