Source: # 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: - Listens carefully and without judgement - Explains what they are doing and why - Works with you on clear goals - Respects your pace and your values - Keeps appropriate boundaries and confidentiality - Can say “this is not working” and suggest alternatives A therapist should **not**: - Tell you what to do with your life - Have a personal, romantic, or business relationship with you - Break confidentiality outside the limits explained - Pressure you to recall specific memories or accept beliefs - Make guarantees of a cure [Read the full chapter – Chapter 14: Counselling and Psychotherapy](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/chapter/14/) ## Stories from real life - [The Waiting Room](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/the-waiting-room-56/) – 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](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/two-kitchens-one-quarrel-57/) – 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](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/when-words-alone-were-not-enough-58/) – 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](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/story/neha-age-29-169/) – 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](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/shloka/bhagavad-gita-4-34-23/) – 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](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/topic/therapy-medicines/) ## More questions - [Getting the most out of therapy – explained simply](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/getting-the-most-out-of-therapy-explained-simply/) - [Understanding self-help and guided self-help – counselling and therapy](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/understanding-self-help-and-guided-self-help-counselling-and-therapy/) - [Is it true that therapy is only for "mad" people?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/is-it-true-therapy-is-only-for-mad-people/) - [Is it true that therapists just listen and do nothing?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/is-it-true-therapists-just-listen-and-do-nothing/) - [Is it true that if I go to therapy, I am weak?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/is-it-true-if-i-go-to-therapy-i-am-weak/) - [Is it true that therapy will go on forever?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/is-it-true-therapy-will-go-on-forever/) - [What is true: CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) focuses on…?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/what-is-true-cbt-cognitive-behavioural-therapy-focuses-on/) - [Which is TRUE about psychotherapy?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/which-is-true-about-psychotherapy/) - [What is true: A key benefit of therapy is…?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/what-is-true-a-key-benefit-of-therapy-is/) - [What is true: confidentiality in therapy means…?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/what-is-true-confidentiality-in-therapy-means/) - [What happens in counselling or therapy?](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/what-happens-in-therapy/) - [Myths and facts about mental health medicines](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/answers/myths-about-mental-health-medicines/) [myadvisorfriend@gmail.com](mailto:myadvisorfriend@gmail.com) · [Contact](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/contact/) · [About](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/about/) · [Privacy](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/privacy/) · [Disclaimer](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/disclaimer/) --- *Psychology for Everyone – A Mental Well Being Series* by Satish Zope · free to read · Contact: [myadvisorfriend@gmail.com](mailto:myadvisorfriend@gmail.com) · [About](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/about/) · [Privacy](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/privacy/) · [Disclaimer](https://psychologyforeveryone.com/disclaimer/)