No One Turning To A Professional Should Become A Victim Of Therapy Abuse

By Iva Cannon


As is true in any of the helping professions, there are good providers, bad providers and those that are downright damaging. It is a sad situation when the very person whom you turn to for help, is capable of therapy abuse. Fortunately, some of his actions may alert you to the fact that you should seek another therapist.

Trust any feelings you experience during your first appointment. You may sense it if something is not right. It is a mistake to continue with any counselor you are not comfortable with. It could lead to additional problems instead of resolving the ones you have.

Odd features can alert you to a bad situation. It may be that the methods used are very different from any you have heard of. Check the background of the therapist including checking with another therapist who can assess the situation. Someone else can provide an objective opinion of your treatment.

After a few sessions you will notice two changes. If you do not feel that you are progressing with a resolution to your problem, it is a poor indication. If you do not think your problem can be resolved in the foreseeable future, that is also predictable of failure.

If you feel too strong a dependency on a counselor, that is not good. If the therapeutic methods being applied are diametrically opposed to those reported by friends that is not good either. If you feel unable to question those methods, it is a sign that you are uncomfortable with the therapist.

A competent therapist may suggest you do not remain friends with those who have a bad influence on you. That would be those who drink and take illegal drugs. It might also be a boyfriend who has abused you either emotionally or physically. Instead he will encourage you to associate with loving family members you can benefit from spending time with.

That would be a definite sign that your therapist is someone you should not be spending time with. Any physical contact is not acceptable. Even when a patient encourages such advances, it is up to the professional to stop it.

The psychologist is a person and may have human problems and frailties. They should not be a topic to discuss during your sessions. You are the focus of the therapy, not the therapist.

Other signals may indicate that a therapist is not ethical. If you are offered therapy at a low price, it may be a warning that something is not right. A sliding scale fee is lower than the full fee, however, the professional should be adequately compensated. Watch for these and other signs of non-typical practices.

If he bills your insurance company for sessions that were not provided, it is an illegal act. If you do not report it you could be considered an accomplice in insurance fraud. If you are a self-pay client, you should always pay on time.

Remember you are entitled to be treated respectfully. You are also entitled to question something that does not seem right. But, sometimes your insecurity makes it difficult to stand up to a therapist. If you doubts about the treatment you are receiving and cannot discuss it, simply move on to a new therapist.




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