Of the numerous psychotherapeutic models, I use ones that support my belief that relationships act as the primary influence in peoples’ life experiences. As your counselor, I want to be a constructive contributor in how you decide to live your life. Additionally, I am very interested in your strengths and what you already are doing that functions well for you. So often, psychotherapists (and their clients) spend too much time focusing on weaknesses and all the unfavorable outcomes that one has had in her/his life. Examining weaknesses and unfavorable outcomes on a limited basis can be helpful, but I have found that clients feel more hopeful, more competent, and experience better outcomes when we focus on what is desired rather than the undesirable. Having noted this, I do believe our society (in general) is too eager to minimize any possible undesirable experiences we might endure. So, I often promote peoples’ abilities to embrace a bit of suffering as they move towards their desired outcomes.
Other positions that I promote or do not promote in my practice are as follows:
- I will not tell you that you need to take psychotropic medications.
- I will make referrals to medical and/or other professionals as seems helpful.
- I will not create a dependency between you and me.
- I will be responsive to your therapeutic concerns.
- I will not tell you that you have many “issues” with which you must deal.
- I will set an appointment with you generally within one to two weeks.
- I will not tell you that you have to follow a prescribed path in order to resolve your concerns.
- I will want you to be open and honest with me, and I know for some people, this is an evolving process.
- I will not promote how presumed diagnostic conditions, your history, your parents, etc., victimize you.
- I will promote healing and recovery.
- I will not tell you that you need to break up, separate, or divorce from your significant other.
- I will attempt to respect you and all of your facets, including, but not limited to, your race/ethnicity, culture, religiosity (or lack thereof), orientation, political affiliation, socioeconomic status, education, etc.
- I will not give you advice based on what I believe you “ought to do.”
- I will interact with you in a way that has research-based support.
- I will not tell you that you are sick, crazy, or insane.
- I will feel privileged that you decided to share a bit of your life with me.
- I will not “just listen” to you, as I don’t believe that “venting,” for the exclusive purpose of talking, ultimately resolves your concern(s).
- I will encourage you to be an active, responsible, and accountable participant in your recovery.
- I will not tell you that changing your thoughts is the only, or even the primary way, that change occurs.
- I will, with your signed permission, collaborate with others (e.g., professionals, family members, friends, etc.) to help you move towards desired outcomes.
- I will not ask you “why” you do anything nor will I spend a lot of time attempting to explain theoretically your experiences.
- I will emphasize your specific, measurable, and desired outcomes.