Posted by Alara on November 7, 2002, at 22:38:42
In reply to Re: What do you think?, posted by deets on November 7, 2002, at 18:18:41
> > (But my current therapist)...never once seemed frustrated or dissapointed in me for needing time to get better and more than one shot at health. I even asked her once if she was dissapointed in me. When she said she wasn't, I asked her why, after all, I was taking so long to make progress, and she said that maybe when I'm having periods of struggle, it is reason for compassion rather than disappointment. I think the most important qualities in a therapist are those of warmth, patience, compassion and genuineness. I think that they need to be completely non-judgemental and really show that they care about the client as more than just a source of money. My therapy sessions often go 10 or 15 minutes over, which proves that my therapist isn't in it for the money, because if I'm not done talking, she doesn't cut me right off when the "therapeutic hour" is over. I've also never felt like she's been "afraid of" or "shocked" by me. I've had others who have been shocked, especially when I confessed to self-injury, which doesn't help. But, with my current therapist, I know that I can tell her anything without the fear of being referred. I also feel in control of my therapy sessions, which makes me feel comforatable. I'm in charge of what I am and am not ready to discuss, and my therapist has promised me that we will end therapy only when I feel completely ready and decide to end it. Those are some qualites of a good therapist.
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> Deets, you're spot on here:
"Warmth, patience, compassion and genuineness" as well as all those additional qualities which you describe make a wonderful therapist as far as I am concerned. This sounds very much like the therapist I used to have. I will always be grateful for the wonderful work that she did with me and know that I am a better person today because of her influence.In addition to this, a good therapist is not afraid to challenge a patient and has good self awareness as well as good management of his/her own feelings. A good therapist learns to not take a patient's anger or defensive attitude personally, for example. He/she also needs to be aware of the dynamics of the psychotherapeutic relationship to minimise the effects of issues such as projection, transference, and counter-transference (affecting patient and therapist alike). He/she also needs to be open with colleagues to work through these issues when they do occur.
Good luck with your journey. It sounds like you are enjoying it so far. :-)
Alara
poster:Alara
thread:32027
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20021106/msgs/32035.html