What Questions Should You Ask A Psychologist

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Video: What Questions Should You Ask A Psychologist

Video: What Questions Should You Ask A Psychologist
Video: 6 QUESTIONS TO ASK A THERAPIST 2024, April
What Questions Should You Ask A Psychologist
What Questions Should You Ask A Psychologist
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What questions can, cannot or should be asked to a psychologist (psychoanalyst, psychotherapist) before signing up to him? Or at the first consultation.

The answer is very simple: you can ask any questions if you want.

This could be the end of it, but let's talk in more detail about what questions really need to be asked. The list of questions is below:

“What kind of work experience do you have? What problems are you working with?"

My answer is simple. I have been practicing since 2002. He started his work while still a student, worked with schoolchildren in a group and individual format. What problems am I working with? With everyone. There are exceptions: against the will of the client, at the request of relatives and friends (“Change it”); with alcohol and drug addiction against the will of the client ("Make him not drink, etc.")

“Have you received personal therapy? Or come in?"

The answer should be one: "Yes, I have experience in personal therapy." Personal therapy is a must for a psychologist! If someone says to you, “I don't need personal therapy. I'm healthy anyway! " The man is clearly disingenuous. For a specialist to work, it is not enough just to master the theory; he also needs to get to know himself, explore his depths, and work out his personal problems. This is the only way to become a good specialist and help people, and not harm them.

How much does your consultation cost, how long do I need to walk, how often?

I personally answer this question honestly: “I don’t know how long the therapy will last, it depends on your speed of progress. No, it cannot be forced, by doing this I will only harm you. The minimum frequency is once a week, on the same day, at the same time. Less often pointless, it just won't work. We will only be wasting our time. Therapy is more effective when the frequency of meetings per week is 2-4 times. Moreover, the result is not 2-4 times more effective, but much more. Further, I name the current cost of the consultation.

Will the consultation fee increase?

Yes, it will. When and how I warn you in advance, at least 4-5 meetings in advance. And, of course, this is all discussed.

What questions should you ask a psychologist

What are your admission rules?

Each psychologist has his own rules. I ask you to pay for all passes, someone requires you to notify me at least 24 hours in advance. But! The psychologist must set boundaries in the matter of money. Otherwise, it will no longer be therapy.

“Will you draw up a plan for our work? Will there be homework?"

You can choose only a general direction, but not develop a plan point by point. You are a living person, not a robot. The goal of therapy: understanding and exploring oneself, working with one's problems, personal growth. Homework may not always be worthwhile either. It is better to “bring” everything (feelings, emotions, experiences) to the consultation and work with it.

“How confidential is psychotherapy? Who will know that I am visiting you and what I am saying?"

Nobody, just me and you! I do not share my clients' personal information. Everything is strictly confidential.

I'm older than you. How can you help if your life experience is less?

Can help. And I help. Life experience is not the main thing in psychotherapy. The main thing: skills, knowledge, personal study. I regularly go through my personal therapy, supervise, study. This allows me to work with people of different ages and with different problems.

In the end, I want to note that if there is a question for a psychologist (psychotherapist), then it is worth asking it. An experienced professional is always happy to ask questions, because questions help build trust.

Mikhail Ozhirinsky - psychoanalyst, group analyst.

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