How To Choose A Competent TherapistWritten by Dave Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW
Publishing Guidelines: You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as resource box is included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated. ***********************************************************Title: HOW TO CHOOSE A COMPETENT THERAPIST Author: Dave Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW E-mail: mailto:editor@overcoming-depression.com Copyright: by Dave Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW Web Address: http://www.Overcoming-Depression.com Word Count: 960 Category: Mental Health HOW TO CHOOSE A COMPETENT THERAPIST I received a disturbing email this week. It's one of many on same theme which I have received over time, so I knew it was time to address this issue. Here's story. A young lady's boyfriend went to see a doctor for depression. She shared with me that doctor apparently said he has "Level 8 Depression" and that he spends too much time with his girlfriend. The girlfriend states she sends him daily emails for support of his depression and they date on weekends and that's it. She wanted to know my opinion. Hmmm... I explained, first of all, that there is no such thing as "Level 8 Depression." And, secondly, I had entirely too little information to be making any judgment about their relationship. If information I received is accurate, shame on that doctor. No wonder so many are cynical about therapy and psychiatry profession. Good golly! Here's a great example of kind of client I would want you to be. I will call him Sam. Sam and I haven't met yet, but he emailed me locally from here in Indianapolis where I practice and asked me to give him a call. I called him. He said he was interested in marriage counseling. We proceeded to talk for about minutes. First we had usual small talk to warm up conversation, then he asked about my credentials and licensing. I explained that I am state licensed and nationally certified. Then he asked how much experience I had, which is years. Later in conversation he asked what made me an "expert" in marriage counseling, what model I use and what success couples were experiencing through counseling with me. These were absolutely excellent questions! You should never be afraid to ask vital questions like these. Sam apologized once or twice for asking so many questions. My response each time was that I was flattered to answer all his questions and I told him that I would do exactly same thing were I him. Would you go see a podiatrist for a heart condition or a veterinarian who fancied himself to be a pulmonary specialist? Of course not, but if you are not your own advocate and sleuth that may be just what happens when it comes to your mental health. Finally, Sam asked what I thought about seeing a couple from a different cultural background. I told him that as long as they didn't mind teaching me cultural customs I may be ignorant of, that I would be fine. Then I asked him how that would be for them. By that time we had talked for nearly twenty minutes. We had established a rapport. He said, "Based on how our conversation has gone thus far, I believe you're right fit for us."
| | The Inner DialogueWritten by Remez Sasson
Do you talk with yourself? When we hear people talking aloud with themselves we consider it weird. But have you noticed that all people, with no exception, talk silently with themselves? This, we do not consider odd or weird.If someone hurts you in some way, or says something you do not like, what do you do? You enact a whole scene of anger in your mind! You envision yourself talking angrily; you shout at him and tell him some not so nice things. Sometimes people spend hours in such negative, destructive inner dialogues. There is a continuous conversation going on in everyone's head, and a lot of energy, time and attention are wasted on small unimportant incidents. This conversation goes on from moment of waking until falling asleep. The inner dialogue continues while working, studying, reading, watching TV, talking, walking, eating, etc. There is a constant judging of people, commenting on what is going on, planning, gossiping, and mental conversations with people. These inner dialogues bring about a snowball effect. The more we conduct them, more we become chained to them and unable to stop them. When emotions are also evoked, more power, energy and attachment are added. This has an adverse effect on behavior, judgment and general performance. On many occasions inner dialogue is negative and strengthens any negative attitude and behavior. Few people have enough faith in themselves and in their abilities, so as to conduct positive inner dialogues. The process and effect of these inner conversations is similar to affirmations. Constant thinking about same subject influences subconscious mind, which consequently accepts these thoughts and words and acts on them. Negative inner dialogues bring negative results, and positive inner dialogues bring positive results. You can use this process to your advantage. It is an automatc activity, which goes on whether you are aware of it or not. If you learn to become aware of it, you gain ability to control it. You can turn it into a positive dialogue. If you do that, you come to realize that you have a mighty power in your possession .
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