5 things a therapist won’t tell you but wants you to know . . . There are many things your therapist will want you to know but is unable to tell you. Here are a few things to ponder. Just remember . . . Therapy is your safe space and you will be treated with unconditional positive regard, no matter what. Therapists what would you add? #therapists #therapy #mentalhealth
A very "tricky" mix of points. Important ones, but ones with no single way of conducting. Some I say. Some I don't. Some I say differently. 1. I say this. But a bit differently As a therapist, I wish to know you as a person. That would require you sharing with me your life experiences. And many a time, these experiences can be and are hurtful, at times traumatic, and at other times what you may think are embarassing, shameful, or experiences that I may dislike. I just wish to tell you, I am here to listen to your experiences. Not to judge it's correctness. My only concern would be to see how many of these experiences are healthy and helpful and how many unhealthy or unhelpful. 2. I say this. But a bit differently If I feel there is an issue with it, I would let you know that. At times, hearing it can be hurtful or can make someone feel uncomfortable. But it is important that we maintain a healthy boundary. Hence my concern over it.
3. I say this. But a bit differently I have rarely brought the idea of "the real you." On the contrary, I help my clients by removing that demarcation and helping them recognise the continuum they are. 4. I have never said this. Nor I plan to! I have no idea where this formula is arrived at. This, among the five pointers, is the riskiest thing to say. Even harmful. 5. This is, if I was a client, going to make me feel uncomfortable! To be told someone loves me but it is not an emotion, but a decision and commitment, I won't want to hear that!
Thanks for sharing!!! if I may ask, what's UPR??
I think it’s also important to add that a phone call or reaching out for help does not bother us! So many clients think they are being “needy” or that they are overwhelming us by leaving messages, emails, or any related type of communication. We want to hear from you and want you to be honest with how you’re feeling. I absolutely love hearing from my clients outside of session because it emphasizes that they feel safe with me. As a therapist, there’s nothing more important than a client feeling safe and feeling able to express themselves whenever.
What is "a right to UPR"? (utmost personal respect?)
Number five threw me off
Ever wondered what your therapist is really thinking? While they may not explicitly state it, here are five things they wish you knew: 1. Therapy isn't a magic wand. While it can be a powerful tool, it's up to you to do the work. Your therapist is there to guide you, not fix your problems. 2. They're not perfect. Therapists are humans too. They may have their own struggles or make mistakes. It's okay to discuss this with them. 3. Silence is golden. Sometimes, the most healing moments are spent in quiet reflection. Don't feel pressured to fill every space with words. 4. They want you to succeed. Your therapist's goal is to see you thrive. They're rooting for you, even when it's tough. 5. Trust is key. A strong therapeutic relationship is built on trust. Be honest, open, and vulnerable.
#2 doesn't mean much if the years of "training and expertise" are wrong. I've had therapist co-workers become friends with their clients and cross all types of personal boundaries, then claimed it was fine because they'd been "doing it for years". Boundaries need to be set and adhered to by the therapist, client, and a governing ethics board that can help to hold therapists accountable for behaving responsibly
I like this in theory, but when you get a person trained in therapy needing therapy we are the worst clients. We need more people to treat the people treating people!
Change Consultant, Author, NLP Master Trainer, Applied Psychology, Coach
2moExcept i would and do say these to my clients.