Many of us ask ourselves questions like: How can we identify a good or bad psychologist? About this you can find several articles on the Internet, in magazines and many other places where they give recommendations and even instructions.
But… How can we identify if we are a good patient? What do we have to do as patients in therapy?
To find out what people think about this, I conducted a survey and was able to find interesting things.
Most of us believe that the treating psychologist should know when we lie. This idea arises from the belief that psychologists practically have psychic powers and are able to read minds. Otherwise, they may come to think that we are bad therapists.
To counteract this we must recognize the following points and understand and respect the agreement between therapists and patientswhich involves assuming that psychologists:
And about the therapeutic process, to adopt the role of patient well The following key ideas must be taken into account:
There is also a conscious and unconscious need to manipulate and control the therapist’s interventions. These desires are completely normal, but as patients, making them aware will help us move forward and overcome conflicts in this regard.
How to achieve it?
Many of these skills are learned throughout therapy, but it is better to be informed in order to have an open mind and overcome the psychic conflicts that we face.
Prejudices on the part of the patient are common when starting treatment; That is why when going to psychotherapy We must remain firm to achieve the objectives we want.
Venturing into therapy can cause discomfort, fear and anguish; but that is also completely normal, it is part of the process. It is necessary to address these issues with the therapist to break with what is established. and get out of the comfort zone.
Common fears
Confidentiality is something that many patients believe is violated. But if it is an issue that can stress us out, the best thing we can do as patients is open communication channels and know that The therapist will always be a person we can trust.
In other cases we believe that in therapy we will be judged, that we are completely wrong in our perceptions and that can cause us a lot of headaches. In certain contexts, therapy has had a bad reputation by thinking that if “you are crazy” you need to go to a psychologist, but this idea is nowhere near reality. Here I will tell you a secret as a therapist: normally, the person who wants to go to therapy is not crazy. To go to therapy you do not necessarily have to have a recent or traumatic conflict that you feel you can no longer handle.
What to expect from the psychotherapeutic process?
If you go to therapy being well, you can avoid major conflicts, strong traumas or losses, such as relationship breakups or family conflicts.
In addition, taking children to therapy is also very useful; we can treat conflicts and traumas before they consolidate and more difficult to treat. It also encourages your ability to learn to regulate your emotions. Thus in the future they will know how to manage their emotions rationally, and maintain long-lasting, deep and healthy relationships.
Children’s therapy is a joint effort with their caregivers, a process in which they can get to know each other, reinforce family love and heal wounds, clarify confusion and help guardians maintain a healthy and respectful relationship.
Therapy in adolescents who went to a therapy psychologist as children is very useful, as it can clarify and reinforce good attitudes; Adolescence is a completely different stage from childhood, in which we face different problems.
As for relationships, it is an option ideal to be able to have common goals, know how to communicate, get to know each other and have communicative intimacy that leads people to a successful and lasting relationship.
In conclusion
No, psychology is not only for the “crazy” or for those of us who are already unwell. It is a powerful weapon that we can use to get to know ourselves and be able to become better and better.
I invite you to be a good patient, remove prejudices, heal and learn more about yourself and for yourself.
