How To Tell a "Good" Therapist From a Mediocre One

2015-03-02T08:00:00Z

Wellness.com - How To Tell a "Good" Therapist From a Mediocre One by Betsy Sansby

After thirty years of practice, I can confidently say that most therapists are good people. So the likelihood of you finding one who means well, listens carefully, and cares about you is excellent. But these characteristics alone - while critical - do not guarantee good therapy.
- Let me give you an example from my own practice, where I often see clients who have seen other therapists. "Martin" called to schedule a couples session with his wife "Carol" because the they were having problems in their marriage. One thing I do before I see clients is have them complete a detailed intake questionnaire, which I read before their first session. This saves time, and it gives me lots of information a person might not think to mention in person.
- When I read Martin's Intake, the first thing I noticed was that he'd been seeing a psychologist on and off for ten years. I could also tell that he was profoundly depressed, had never been treated for depression, and probably had a pretty serious drinking problem.
- The first thing I did when we met was ask Martin about the work he'd been doing with his therapist - a well-respected psychologist in town. In particular, I asked him how much the two of them had talked about his depression or alcohol use. I'll never forget his answer: "He never me asked about either... but I've always sort of wondered about both." - I was stunned. How could a psychologist work face-to-face with a man for ten years who was clearly depressed and completely cut off from his wife and kids, without once talking to him about his depression or alcohol use?
- This was blatant negligence. And it was especially appalling because the information was so easy to obtain. It was all there in black and white, information I had gotten before ever meeting Martin. What had they been doing in therapy all those years?
- The amazing thing was that Martin didn't realize he was getting bad therapy. He liked his therapist and described him as a good guy, someone he trusted and considered to be "kind of a friend."
- Obviously, having a good relationship with your therapist is important. In fact, according to a review of the literature on the benefits of therapy going back to the 1980s, almost all studies confirm that the quality of the relationship between the client and therapist is the most important factor in successful therapy, regardless of the techniques or methods used.
- But a good relationship with your therapist is not the only criterion for evaluating therapy. Martin's therapist was a good person. But he was not a competent therapist. Without treating Martin's longstanding depression and blatant alcohol abuse, there was no way for couples counseling to succeed. So if liking your therapist isn't enough, what does distinguish good therapy from bad? - Here are two lists to help you evaluate the quality of the therapy you're receiving. The first describes what I think is Good Therapy. The second, what I think is Bad Therapy. Read on to Page 2

Depression isn't a choice.

2013-08-26T22:08:30Z

Wellness.com - Depression isn't a choice. by Betsy Sansby

People get depressed for many reasons, but weakness of character isn't one of them. It's true, of course, that depressed people have "stinkin' thinkin.'" But stinkin' thinkin' isn't the cause of their depression. It's a symptom of it. Advances in brain research have revealed that the brains of people who are actively depressed do not function normally because of reduced amounts of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, key neurotransmitters responsible for mood regulation, reward-seeking, and overall sense of well-being.

-Nobody -chooses- to be depressed. Depression is a biological illness- brought on by a combination of external and internal factors. It is a unique illness in that it wreaks havoc with every system of the body. It kills sleep, appetite, energy, mood, and libido. It can also cause: aches, pains, heaviness in the limbs, poor digestion, irregular heartbeats, electrical surges in the head, crippling anxiety, and feelings of guilt, shame and unworthiness.

-The best known feature of depression is anhedonia, the inability to feel joy.- But the worst part of depression isn't the lack of joy. For many, -it's the inescapable presence of dread.-

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 15% of the adult population - or 15 million people - suffer from depression each year. Forty million suffer from anxiety disorders. In older adults - especially women - these numbers are even higher. And the numbers are rising, especially among children.

So, if you're suffering from depression or anxiety, there is no need to feel shame. You're not alone, and you won't always feel this way. I promise. There are things you can do right now to start feeling better. I can teach you mindfulness practices that will help you disengage from your current suffering, and prevent relapse once you are well again.

Note: -Betsy is an expert in the treatment of depression and anxiety. In 2011, she completed the -Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Training (MBCT) for Professionals-, and is qualified to deliver the MBCT Program, an 8-week program that cuts the relapse rate of depression for people who have suffered three or more episodes. See more at: http://www.betsysansby.com/pages/specialnote.php?subject=depressionAnxiety#sthash.cGC8RI8X.dpuf-

Wellness Posts by Betsy Sansby

How To Tell a "Good" Therapist From a Mediocre One

Depression isn't a choice.