Posted by Racer on September 28, 2004, at 20:01:38
In reply to Questions Every Therapist Should Ask, posted by daisym on September 28, 2004, at 19:07:56
Well, for anyone who might have an eating disorder, a therapist should certainly ask very specific questions about what the client eats. Not just casual questions, but detailed questions. If a client says, "I had a ham sandwich for lunch today," ask what went into the sandwich. How much ham? How many pieces of bread? Was there anything else on the sandwich? Did the client eat all of it? (I know that three therapists in the past six months have glossed over this question, including our otherwise fabulous marriage counselor. The MC asked for the menu from the day before, and left it at that -- until my husband brought up actual amounts to her.)
And ask what the client prefers to be called! Personally, I really, really *hate* to be addressed by the shortened form of my name that many, many people use. From some people, it's kinda OK, because they're using it as a sign of affection and intimacy that I find appropriate, but from most of the world -- I will either speak up and ask to be addressed by my proper name, or I will silently fume and wish I could speak up. That seems like such a minor thing, but it amazes me how often even professionals don't even seem to think of it.
(And don't even think about getting casual about spelling my name!)
That's the only one I can think of right now. Good idea for a thread, though.
poster:Racer
thread:396496
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040925/msgs/396525.html