What therapists do and do not do?
From the book – Chapter 14: Counselling and Psychotherapy
What therapists do and do not do
A good therapist:
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Listens carefully and without judgement
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Explains what they are doing and why
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Works with you on clear goals
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Respects your pace and your values
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Keeps appropriate boundaries and confidentiality
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Can say “this is not working” and suggest alternatives
A therapist should not:
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Tell you what to do with your life
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Have a personal, romantic, or business relationship with you
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Break confidentiality outside the limits explained
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Pressure you to recall specific memories or accept beliefs
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Make guarantees of a cure
Read the full chapter – Chapter 14: Counselling and Psychotherapy
Stories from real life
- The Waiting Room – Priya, 26, a software tester in Pune, has avoided therapy for a year. She fears being called mad, being judged, and having to spill everything on…
- Two Kitchens, One Quarrel – Hamid and Salma have been married six years, living with his parents in Hyderabad. Every small matter becomes a fight: who cooks, how money is spent,…
- When Words Alone Were Not Enough – Luca, 41, a chef in Rome, has had panic attacks for three years. His heart pounds, his chest tightens and he fears he will die. He…
- Neha, Age 29 – Neha, twenty-nine, was always exhausted. On the outside she was the perfect friend, daughter and employee: always smiling, always agreeing, never saying no. Inside, she was…
Shloks
- Bhagavad Gita 4.34 – Know that by approaching with respect, by questioning, and by service. Those who see reality will teach you.
More on this topic: Counselling, therapy and psychiatric medicines explained
More questions
- Getting the most out of therapy – explained simply
- Understanding self-help and guided self-help – counselling and therapy
- Is it true that therapy is only for "mad" people?
- Is it true that therapists just listen and do nothing?
- Is it true that if I go to therapy, I am weak?
- Is it true that therapy will go on forever?
- What is true: CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) focuses on…?
- Which is TRUE about psychotherapy?
- What is true: A key benefit of therapy is…?
- What is true: confidentiality in therapy means…?
- What happens in counselling or therapy?
- Myths and facts about mental health medicines