Posted by Lindenblüte on October 30, 2006, at 13:31:22
In reply to Unethical Ts and qualifications, posted by toojane on October 30, 2006, at 12:38:07
Hi toojane,
I'm so glad you decided to post here.One thing I find interesting about babble is that I tend to participate more and post more about myself when I'm feeling poorly. That's because this is a support website-- so I feel that I need more support when I'm having doubts or struggling. It's impossible to characterize the nuances of a therapy relationship, or even the nature of a session without having been in the room AND having been in both the T's and the client's minds! I write stuff about how my T is crazy or whatever, but a lot of that is colored by my own perceptions of reality, which are distorted, which is why I'm in therapy in the first place! Please note that I speak only of myself, for myself.
I think it's important to understand that therapists are people. They have quirks. Some are good, even genius; while others lack experience or motivation to help their clients. Also, sometimes I (clients) demand a LOT of my therapist, like when I cannot discern reality, or when I cannot express myself. Sometimes it's easy to forget that therapists think of me as "one of the clients", while I think of my therapist as the "one and only (therapist for me, (ever?!?))".In general, someone who has a complicated or difficult condition usually ends up working with a PhD, PsyD or MD (someone who has a doctorate degree). However, there are many very talented people, each with their own unique perspective. I think there are people in all walks of life that have interpersonal skills to provide some benefit to people having a hard time.
Some of the T's are trained as clinical social workers, as psychologists, or as medical doctors, but I guess most of the stuff I've read says that the "fit" between the therapist and the client/patient is the most important factor.
I also wanted to correct one aspect of your post- it's possible (in the USA, at least) to earn a PhD in clinical social work. Such a therapist may have "LCSW PhD" following their name and be licensed to practice psychotherapy. PsyD is a doctoral degree in psychology, which is generally awarded to persons trained to practice clinical psychology. It's also possible to get a PhD in clinical psychology. Maybe it's even possible in some places to get a PhD in English and get a license to practice psychotherapy if one has enough coursework, passes and exam and does an internship? with supervision and evaluation.
I wish only the best, most talented people ended up as therapists or counselors. Alas, it is not so...
-Li
poster:Lindenblüte
thread:699034
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20061026/msgs/699047.html