The Therapist Who Went to Therapy
I completely believe in the power of the therapeutic process to assist people in working through issues of trauma, depression, communication, anxiety and many other mental health concerns. Since conducting individual and group therapy I have gone to therapy on an inconsistent basis. This past summer I was looking for a full-time therapist. I decided that a therapist who had been conducting therapy for a while would best suit my needs.
The first thing I noticed and learned is that the therapist did not have any on-line and or social media presence. Note to Self: Get with it! Goal #1 have an on-line presence via website by January 1, 2021, and update pertinent information on the website regularly.
The second thing I noticed was that the method in which the appointment was scheduled was antiquated and did not include the use of technology.
My initial meeting with the therapist was not very impressive there was no discussion about their specialty or philosophy.
The office was small and dark and packed with books, I love books so that was a plus.
There was a “cotton” plant in a vase on the widow seal, cotton. I tried to stop my mind from wondering about what the significance of that cotton plant was but through our conversation negative ideas kept popping up in my mind, it was probably something very innocent but you can guess where my mind went.
Once we started talking, I knew this therapist was not the one for me. I wonder do my clients ever feel that way about me? I’ve never had a client come to only one session and then disappear, so I hope that means I’m doing something right. Although, the first session was not what I was hoping for I made a second appointment because anyone can have a bad day.
The situation did not improve at the second session in some ways it got worse, in the middle of the second session the therapist told me I was too high-functioning, and she did not think she could help me. WOW! What I heard was: “You are not needy enough and I cannot help you!”
I will continue to search for a therapist I can relate to who I click with and someone who can guide me through the therapeutic process like I try to do with my clients. Being a therapist is a challenging and even daunting task at times, but I enjoy what I do. I am thankful for what I am able to accomplish and challenged to do. I appreciate going through the search of finding my own therapist; it is a humbling experience it makes me appreciate my clients and has encouraged me to do and learn more so that I can be a better mental health care professional.
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