Tuesday, March 31, 2015

No One Turning To A Professional Should Become A Victim Of Therapy Abuse

By Iva Cannon


As is true in any of the helping professions, there are good providers, bad providers and those that are downright damaging. It is a sad situation when the very person whom you turn to for help, is capable of therapy abuse. Fortunately, some of his actions may alert you to the fact that you should seek another therapist.

During the first office visit many can sense whether everything is as it should be. Those feelings that tell you something is off should always be trusted. If you continue to go to sessions, ignoring those warnings you may end up with additional problems.

Odd features can alert you to a bad situation. It may be that the methods used are very different from any you have heard of. Check the background of the therapist including checking with another therapist who can assess the situation. Someone else can provide an objective opinion of your treatment.

You should be able to sense some progress after three or four appointments. You can expect a prediction of how long treatment might take. Most psychological counseling is not extended longer than necessary.

No client should be overly dependent on a therapist. If the therapy seems to be radically different from what your friends have told you, that may be a strong warning signal. You should feel free to question the therapist as to why he is using those tactics. If you are uncomfortable about confronting him, that is not a good sign.

You may be encouraged to stop spending time with the wrong people. This group would include those who drink or take drugs. It might be a romantic interest who is physically abusive. But, you should not be discouraged from staying away from family members or friends at school you enjoy spending time with.

That would be a definite sign that your therapist is someone you should not be spending time with. Any physical contact is not acceptable. Even when a patient encourages such advances, it is up to the professional to stop it.

The psychologist is a person and may have human problems and frailties. They should not be a topic to discuss during your sessions. You are the focus of the therapy, not the therapist.

There may be other obvious signs of the counselor being unprofessional. Consider them to be warning signals. If he offers to lower his compensation to a ridiculously low amount that is one. Although some clients are given a price break to help their situation, it should not fall below a reasonable level.

If he bills your insurance company for sessions that were not provided, it is an illegal act. If you do not report it you could be considered an accomplice in insurance fraud. If you are a self-pay client, you should always pay on time.

Remember you are entitled to be treated respectfully. You are also entitled to question something that does not seem right. But, sometimes your insecurity makes it difficult to stand up to a therapist. If you doubts about the treatment you are receiving and cannot discuss it, simply move on to a new therapist.




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