Irrational Expertise

You're not all crazy, but I think there is an expectation that people can be "saved" by counseling, that the therapist has magic knowledge that the patient doesn't that can make everything all better. This expectation can only breed resentment. It's strange when you realize your therapist seems to have problems of their own that impact on your therapy sessions, and that sometimes they are just wrong and don't understand what's going on with you because they can't move away from their fixed idea of what "should" be wrong with you. When the therapist has a hard time disidentifying with the patient (sorry, "client"), whatever benefit there could have been in the relationship is all over as far as the client is concerned. Everyone needs to realize that the therapist is there to help the client access the strength and insight to heal themselves, and I think too often one or both parties don't understand that to be the case. And it is also true that, like any other population, some of you ARE mentally ill or imbalanced in some way and that those people cause harm instead of help to patients.

I think the ignoring of sociological research, lack of cultural relativism, and complicity in a multibillion dollar industry that medicalizes anything that doesn't fit capitalism's mold (or results from it) has a good amount to do with distrust.

Personally, being a social sciences undergrad that knows more about biosocial theory and psychopharmacology than pretty much every professional psychiatrist that I've met has made it hard for me to trust anyone that I see. They call it "intellectualizing" when they don't understand what I'm saying, instead of challenging their own preconceived notions for the purpose of personal growth and doing their job effectively.

That, and the people I've met that have the best grasp on and most interest in psychology are pretty much always some sort of troubled. The "talent" or whatever is often the result of a need for better coping mechanisms, either for genetic or socialized problems. People with issues help other people with issues in the hopes for learning tricks along the way or distracting themselves.

Many years ago, I sought marriage counseling. The first psychotherapist recommended that I come for a session without my husband. During that session he told me he wanted to "have mad, passionate sex" with me. He said I was repressed when I refused. As I walked toward the door, he said, "It's my word against yours." When I tried a second therapist, a woman this time, I was told that my insurance would cover my sessions with her. When it didn't, I paid for 4 sessions out of pocket and did not return. She called me several times attempting to work out a "payment plan" for future (out of pocket) sessions. My experiences have made me question the ethics of mental health professionals. It seems a highly unregulated field allowing far too much substandard or even abusive treatment of clients.

ALL OF YOU NEED RISPERDAL....No one is necessarily a perfect fit..go until you find one that is...The first person who commented could use some time away..if you have that much going through your head when you're doing therapy ....GUESS WHAT YOU ARE"NT DOING THERAPY..give it up you sound sick!

ALL OF YOU NEED RISPERDAL....No one is necessarily a perfect fit..go until you find one that is...The first person who commented could use some time away..if you have that much going through your head when you're doing therapy ....GUESS WHAT YOU ARE"NT DOING THERAPY..give it up you sound sick!

Joan, you are a genius.

Judith, I am a new reader of your blog, but I find my self going over all the entries again and again. Your witty and insightful posts keep me laughing and thinking. Keep up the good work!

Mental health professionals are not perfect, and they have a responsibility to their patients to never act as is they have more "together" than anyone else does. They are, however, trained professionals. Good therapists are self-aware, and hopefully know to get consultation or their own treatment when they see themselves slipping in their judgment or coping skills.

When I went to a therapist for depression a few years ago, I wasn't looking for a magical savior, just a competent professional. Kind of the same way I go into a dentist's office - "I hope you're good at your job", is my main initial feeling towards a therapist. And I think as seeking therapy has become more common and less stigmatized in recent culture, so too have therapists themselves begun to seem less threatening or suspect.

some shrinks are crazy.

Last I checked, the one common feature all shrinks had was the fact that all are human.

Last I checked, humans are not defined by their profession and in fact, come in all shapes, sizes, and degrees of insanities.

The fact that an insane human cross-references with a human shrink is not a causation.

Anyone who expects a shrink to be a "better" human, is probably in the right place--to gain perspective--one way or another, hopefully cognitively led and not by bubble-bursting action.

Also of note: to some circles of society beyond a mid-point, both a shrink and a lawyer are primarily status symbols sometimes as important as a certain kind of car, or particular designer--a good thought to ponder.