Its completely normal to feel distrusting of the process in the beginning.
Is there a reason youre a psychiatrist/psychologist/social worker/family therapist/etc.
rather than some other title?
John Gall
and Ph.D.), and psychiatrists (M.D.).
(you might read more about different types of therapy and counseling degrees here.)
To speak to my degree specifically, psychiatrists and psychologists require the most years of training.
We still see patients for psychotherapy alone.
Can I actually trust that everything I say to you stays between you and me?
The word imminent, however, is key.
This is an incredibly important distinction.
Suicidal thoughts are actually quite common and not always an emergency.
This means that just telling me you think about dying will not result in me breaking confidentiality.
However, telling me you have a detailed plan to end your life would lead me to break confidentiality.
Domestic violence reporting is more complicated, state-dependent, and often isnt mandated.
These notes, again, are confidential.
you are not a schizophrenic, but a person who happens to have schizophrenia).
It gives them a chance to know how you are feeling and what you are noticing in session.
It also gives your provider a chance to do better.
Were all human, after all.
How do I know youll respect and understand core issues of my identity?
Are you going to push medication on me?
Then, its really up to you whether you actually want to take the medication.
I want them to feel like we are making an educated decision together because we are.
Am I going to need medication forever?
How do I know your advice is good enough for me to take it?
The cool thing is therapists arent actually in the business of advice-giving.
Think of therapy more as a safe space to work through things you are struggling with.
In other words, I’m never giving you some exact blueprint for how to solve an issue.
You are obviously welcome to read about the recommendations and/or medications your provider is suggesting before making a decision.
If youre already prescribing me medication, do I really need to see you for therapy too?
But at the present time, we dont.
If I spot you in line at the grocery store, what should I do?
If I see someone in public, I typically dont acknowledge them until they acknowledge me.
No offense, but what if I just dont like you as a providershould I stick it out?
Studies suggest that fit and the therapist-provider relationship are actually some of the strongest indicators of success in treatment.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of teletherapy appointments with you?
There are certainly pluses and minuses to telehealth appointments for both the patientand the provider.
internet connection can also go out and is worth testing beforehand.
Brown recommends checking in with your therapist about your feelings about telehealth and any challenges you are experiencing.
What safety precautions are you taking for in-person appointments right now?
If youre wishing you could do in-person appointments but just not feeling ready, thats perfectly okay.
It’s really about what the best fit is for you, she says.
See more from ourGuide to Caring for Your Mental Health here.
