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Is a therapist supposed to give advice?
In actuality, counselors don’t know what would be best and avoid giving their clients advice altogether. Here’s why: Giving advice is not part of their job (really). In fact, most counselor preparation programs, agencies, and practices consistently reiterate why providing advice is not appropriate for a counselor. The general rule of thumb is that therapists shouldn’t disclose personal information to clients in order to satisfy their own needs. The leaders are typically those who no longer need to discuss their own struggles during every meeting, even in peer counseling programs like AA.Clients can ask their therapist for additional opinions and advice, but some of them are too shy to do so or feel they shouldn’t have to express their goals for therapy out loud. There are also therapists who, despite requests from patients, will not offer any advice.It’s natural and not uncommon to feel close to your therapist and want to be friends with them. However, most moral standards for mental health counseling prohibit developing a personal relationship with clients. It may also impact your therapeutic process and lessen therapy’s benefits. U. S. Counseling Association.About 75 percent of people who enter psychotherapy show some benefit from it. Psychotherapy has been shown to improve emotions and behaviors and to be linked with positive changes in the brain and body.Psychotherapy is not supposed to be like a regular conversation. One of the most frequent therapeutic errors is therapists talking too much, whether they are talking to you or, even worse, talking about themselves. No one can do someone else’s processing.
Does your therapist need to know the truth?
Therapists and counsellors expect trust in the sense that both parties understand and are committed to spend every session building it. Being honest with a therapist about the fact that you don’t completely trust them with some information is a good way to practice being honest, which is one of the most important aspects of trust. The therapist will ask questions about your presenting concerns, as well as your history and background. Most likely, you’ll find yourself talking about your current symptoms or struggles, as well saying a bit about your relationships, your interests, your strengths, and your goals.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.Therapy is Confidential It’s important to examine why you are choosing to keep things a secret from your therapist. If you are worried about confidentiality, remember that everything you say in your therapist’s office short of harming yourself or somebody else must remain confidential.An extended discussion of one’s self is never appropriate for a therapist. In therapy, the focus should always be on the patient. As a general rule, it is inappropriate for the therapist to make any therapy session all about themselves.If your therapist is comfortable, you can follow them, but they might not follow you back. Feeling weird about it? Talk to them, understand their boundary better from their words.
Is it OK to like your therapist?
Yes, you should get along with your therapist Working with someone you generally get along with can help you feel connected during therapy. You might find it easier to be open with them when you feel connected. 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.Psychotherapy is not supposed to be like a regular conversation. One of the most frequent therapeutic errors is therapists talking too much, whether they are talking to you or, even worse, talking about themselves. Nobody can process for someone else.Sharing something you think is too sensitive or personal can be uncomfortable. But know that you’re not the only one who feels like you’ve shared too much in therapy. When this occurs, it can be beneficial to discuss your thoughts with your therapist and look into the reasons you believe you have overshared.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.The skills you acquired in therapy should be applied outside of sessions for you to know it is effective. For example, are you better able to set boundaries with others, prioritize your own needs and demands, and effectively deal with situations without spiraling into a panic attack? These are great signs of progress.
Should a therapist just listen?
After all, your therapist is a trained listener, not advice-giver. That does not mean your therapist is merely looking at you and listening while you talk. Any competent therapist will pay close attention to the patient’s body language in order to identify certain cues that will help them gradually steer the conversation in the right directions. Let the therapist know that you are interested in an assessment and treatment. What symptoms do you have? You can even mention that you think you may have BPD. Take the opportunity to ask some initial questions.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.They see their job as helping you find your own answers, and they know that silence can help you do that. Sitting in silence allows a lot of things to come up for you—thoughts, emotions, and memories you might not normally experience. Your therapist wants to hear from you about that.Thanking your therapist is a way of acknowledging the hard work they do and the impact they’ve had on your life. It may be difficult to find the words to express gratitude, but even a simple thank you can mean a lot to your therapist.The therapist will ask questions about your presenting concerns, as well as your history and background. Most likely, you’ll find yourself talking about your current symptoms or struggles, as well saying a bit about your relationships, your interests, your strengths, and your goals.
Why does my therapist not give me advice?
The main reason for therapists refusing to give their clients advice is that it is not their job. Actually, a therapist’s job is to help clients gain a better understanding of what drives or influences their behavior. After you unpack your feelings, your therapist might provide you with some insight in response or help you deconstruct and synthesize what you just shared. They also might give you a task or something to think about if they think it’s important for your process.You may be surprised to know that what you are experiencing with your therapist isn’t uncommon. In fact, what you are likely experiencing is a phenomenon known as “erotic transference,” which is when a person experiences feelings of love or fantasies of a sexual or sensual nature about his or her therapist.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.When a client who is usually verbal begins to fall silent while talking about something difficult, corresponding silence by the therapist is often helpful and supportive. It may indicate interest and attention as well as the therapist’s resolve to respect the client’s need to process what is happening.So clients often have feelings for their therapists that are like the ones that children have towards their parents. It occasionally has a romantic-like quality. Transference is completely natural and normal, and it can enhance the experience of therapy significantly.
Do they discuss you with your therapist?
In almost every instance, therapy is absolutely confidential. Just as a doctor is required to keep your records private, your therapist is also obligated to maintain confidentiality regarding everything said in your sessions. There are a few things that might contribute to this: you may not have developed the level of trust you need to feel safe with the therapist you are working with, you may be fearful of being judged by the therapist, or maybe you are afraid that opening the pain of the past might be too much to handle.For instance, you have the right to inquire of your therapist whether they think you may be suffering from a mental illness. If you want a diagnosis, you can ask your therapist upfront. In the event that you choose not to learn about this information, the same rules apply.It’s acceptable to enquire about the life of your therapist. Any queries you may have during therapy are legitimate and most likely pertinent to the therapeutic process. Depending on their particular personalities, philosophies, and treatment methods, therapists may or may not respond to questions and disclose personal information.Therapists & counsellors expect trust in the sense that both parties understand and are committed to spend every session building it. The most critical component of trust is honesty, so consider being upfront about the fact that you do not trust a therapist 100 percent with certain information to be good practice at honesty.Your therapist’s job is to help you work through these issues, and it is important that he knows what you are really feeling. You might be surprised to discover how much easier it is to open up in therapy when you are honest about your anxiety.