Some of these topics include feeling incompetent; making mistakes; getting caught off guard by fee entanglements; becoming enraged at patients; managing illness; understanding sexual arousal and impulses; praying with patients as part of therapy; feeling ashamed; being fired; and not knowing what to do.
Therapists are trained not to answer certain questions directly. They learn in school that it's unethical for them to give advice or to push their own agenda in therapy. They are taught that it's normal and professional for them to respond with silence in many circumstances. Ideally, they'd explain all of this to you.
The Benefits of Therapist Silence in Session
Therapist silence can help the client stay in charge of the session. When we don't jump in with an agenda, the client will often take more responsibility for setting the goal of the session and for deciding what is most important.
Therapists have a "duty to warn" anyone who may be harmed in the future by an illegal action, or to warn law enforcement of an impending true threat being made.
In certain cases – for example, in order to protect you from serious harm – a mental health professional may have to disclose private information about you to someone else, such as your parents or carer, Family and Community Services, or, in very rare situations, a court, the police or an ambulance worker.
The short answer is that you can tell your therapist anything – and they hope that you do. It's a good idea to share as much as possible, because that's the only way they can help you.
Patients aren't the only ones to tear up during therapy — sometimes therapists do, too. You are leading a therapy session when your patient reveals she was horribly abused as a child. Your patient starts to sob — and tears fill your eyes as well.
Therapists do get frustrated with clients from time to time, but some can handle difficult clients better than others. This may be due to training or inherent personality traits.
Therapists usually want to find ways to help you go deeper. When they respond with silence or a question, that's usually what they're trying to do: get you to hear yourself and reflect on what you just said. They want you to keep going.
Hands. Your client's hands can give you clues about how they're reacting to what comes up in the session. Trembling fingers can indicate anxiety or fear. Fists that clench or clutch the edges of clothing or furniture can suggest anger.
Back to Fictional Reader's question about why it may be difficult to look a therapist in the eyes. Some possible root causes range from guilt, shame, anxiety, low self-esteem, shyness, past abuse, depression or autistic spectrum disorders to varying cultural norms and cognitive overload.
Scanning our body for tightness, emotion, specific sensations such as a sinking gut can help provide insight into how we experience the world and provide direction for steps going forward. A therapist is not a keeper of all the right answers and does not intuitively know what is best for you.
Sharing something you think is too sensitive or personal can be uncomfortable. But know you're not alone in thinking you've disclosed too much in therapy. When this happens, it can help to explore why you think you've overshared and talk it over with your therapist.
Although therapists are not obligated to show concern, care, or love to their clients, you should look for one that does. Find someone who wants to truly understand you, takes consideration of your whole context, and can empathize.
If you believe you're safe and comfortable with a hug from your therapist, it doesn't hurt to ask for one. Of course, your therapist has a right to say no.
Although some therapists are highly sensitive people themselves, others are not. It is not necessarily a requirement for your chosen therapist to be an HSP like you, but you may have that preference.
Therapy is much more difficult with coerced, reluctant, or challenging clients. These are typically clients who are not necessarily ready to make a change in their life, but have been forced to do so by the court system, the child welfare system, or their spouse or significant other.
Yes, I think so. The job of the therapist is to use yourself as an instrument, and be aware of how you ( your instrument) reacts. If you feel angry, irritated or bored with a client, very likely other people would also.
Therapists also recognize that crying is not always a sign of distress but can also be cathartic and lead to personal growth. For example, some people may cry when they come to terms with difficult life experiences or when they achieve something meaningful that was previously out of reach.
Due to the emotionally demanding nature of their work, especially in recent times, therapists and counselors often find themselves burned out. It's crucial to take stock of your own needs and practice self care to help manage stress and prevent burnout.
Let the client know explicitly that it's okay to cry; there's no need to hold back the tears. If offering a tissue box, it's often useful to say, “Please don't try to hold those tears back. It's absolutely okay to cry as much as you like.”
Your therapist's relationship with you exists between sessions, even if you don't communicate with each other. She thinks of your conversations, as well, continuing to reflect on key moments as the week unfolds. She may even reconsider an opinion she had or an intervention she made during a session.
It's okay to ask your therapist about their life. Any questions you have in therapy are valid and are likely relevant to the therapeutic process. Whether your therapist answers the question and shares personal information can depend on their individual personality, philosophy, and approach to your treatment.
Unless you share your thoughts and feelings with your therapist, they won't be able to help you as effectively. You may feel that something bad might happen if you tell your therapist your scariest thoughts, however, it is important to realize that having intrusive thoughts does not mean you are a bad person.