Introduction

Working with a therapist is a very personal experience. And as such, it’s important you and your therapist align on some key elements of working together. 

In this blog, I cover some common myths and facts so you gain some clarity. After all, you share your personal experiences, your innermost beliefs, your most vulnerable emotions with this person and making a clear decision is essential.

Common Myths & Facts

Here we go with 5 myths and facts!

MYTH #1: Therapists can’t see people in the same family. 👪
FACT: Therapists, in fact, CAN do this.

Some therapists work exclusively with an entire families, or dyads within the family (couples, parent/child, etc.) It would be absurd to ask someone to do this type of work and involve multiple therapists. The issue is that many therapists are unclear on how to navigate boundaries around these interactions, so many will just opt out of family or couples work. Additionally, if a therapist has been seeing only one member of a family for several sessions, they have likely formed a therapeutic connection and bringing another family member in can cause ruptures in that therapeutic alliance. 

MYTH #2: My friends can’t also see my therapist. 👩‍❤️‍👩
FACT: Yes, they can. Word of mouth is one of the best ways therapists gain new clients.

If a client wants to recommend a friend see their therapist, that’s a great honor! The therapist simply needs to have frank discussions reviewing confidentiality policies and boundaries. If the friends are roommates, releases of information could be signed with specific limitations identified and/or joint sessions could be held.

MYTH #3: Therapy can happen remotely if I’m out-of-state.✈️
FACT: Not always, but maybe!

If the licensing requirements of the therapist’s board(s) allow for it then it’s not an issue. For example, some states require the therapist be licensed in both the state where the therapist is and the state where the client is while others don’t. 

MYTH #4: If I say it’s okay to have a session in a public place like Starbucks, or while driving my car then it’s all good. 
FACT: Nope.

A client consenting to those conditions for a remote session DOES NOT relieve the licensed therapist their ethical and professional responsibilities as defined by a licensing board; namely, to hold sessions that are as private and safe as possible. In my informed consents, I outline this clearly and will mention this to clients if they forget.

MYTH #5: Therapist tell clients what they should do 🎯
FACT: Therapists (good ones) are trained to NOT tell a client what to do.

Instead, an effective therapist supports the client in making their own decisions by helping clients understand the pros and cons of choices, improve critical thinking skills versus emotional reasoning, and increase clarity about their core values. 

If you have questions about any of these myths and facts, or would like to work with me or refer someone you know to me, email me at sh*****@***********es.com 

In Health & Wholeness ❤️

Shannan