"How To Be In Therapy" Published by Rhiannon Hill Submitted: 03 June,2005 REPRINT GUIDELINES =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= You are free to publish the following article in it's entirety in your eZine or on your website. Our only condition is that you MUST keep the information about the author,(c) notice and resource box at the end intact. Please let us know when you use an article by sending us an email... mailto:howto@leanmarketingpress.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Word Count: 524 Character Width: 60 Resource Box: Rhiannon Hill at www.BookShaker.com =========================================================== "How To Be In Therapy" - by Rhiannon Hill (c) Rhiannon Hill. All Rights Reserved. http://www.BookShaker.com =========================================================== Therapy works best with someone who makes you feel safe. I ask new clients if they feel safe, and if they think they can work with me. Sometimes they don't! I don't take it personally. I know I AM safe, but I may remind them of someone untrustworthy in their past. If you're not sure, you could try asking yourself: how do I feel with this person? I do value experience over paper qualifications but we all need some diplomas. The person with lots of letters after their name will not necessarily love and care for you more. A therapist should be able to give you reasonable guarantees that they will be around long enough to offer you an appropriate period of therapy. In return, you need to show up regularly and on time! You cannot form a meaningful relationship unless there is consistency not just because the therapist is earning a living, ducking in and out is disrespectful and even hurtful in any relationship. Making a commitment to therapy may in itself prove to be a therapeutic exercise. There is no such thing as a 'good' client. We're aiming to help you be yourself, so you don't have to put on any 'front'! But if you find yourself unable to share difficult material you may not be ready for therapy. Good therapists don't judge, advise or pressurise, or have their own agendas. Pay Up On Time! Your fee may be their food budget for the week! We won't welcome requests for a concession unless you have temporary unusual circumstances. Being on benefits isn't a reason for a concession. Not working is your choice, why should the therapist support you? You would be surprised at how many clients expect half fee then tell you they just had dinner and a movie! Therapy is not particularly well paid outside Harley Street. Your therapist is a human being with financial needs, like you! Ethics - what are they? Any sexual approach, suggestion or activity on either side is unethical, maybe unlawful. Quit immediately. If you think your therapist has power over you in some way, quit. If you think your therapist is trying to keep the sessions going for financial reasons, quit. It is best not to be in therapy individually with someone who is also seeing your close relative or friend unless the therapist is extremely experienced and can keep neutral boundaries, or if after couple work all three negotiate individual therapy for one of them. You should not have to meet or talk to the therapist's family, friends, colleagues, receptionist or other clients. Your therapist should work in a clean, quiet space and should not pressure you to source new clients, or perform other tasks and favours. Nearly 100 years of psychotherapy experience confirms that the best frequency is weekly - recommendations for more are unethical. You have a right to keep your therapy secret, but if not, DO tell your friends if you had a good experience, it's hard to market therapy and referral really helps. Remember, it's true that not everyone needs therapy but, we could all use some from time to time! ======================================= Rhiannon Hill is a psychotherapist and author of "10 Stupid Things That Can Screw Up Your Life" Buy her book here... http://www.bookshaker.com/product_info.php?products_id=102 ======================================= About the Author Rhiannon Hill is a psychotherapist and author of "10 Stupid Things That Can Screw Up Your Life" Buy her book here... http://www.bookshaker.com/product_info.php?products_id=102 =======================================