14 Things Excellent Therapists Do for You, Part Two

Excellent therapists-

8. Say very little about themselves because your sessions are about you.

9. Self-disclose only when it helps you make your way forward.

10. Maintain a professional relationship with you and do not have sex with you.

11. Challenge and confront you to help you make your way forward with your life.

12. Know their limitations, tell you when they cannot help you, and refer you to someone who can.

13. Do not keep making appointments with you just to make money.

14. Respect your freedom to stop coming to sessions when you choose and resume if and when you want to do so.

As I said at the beginning of this two-part series on excellent therapists, too often we wait too long to see a therapist. Our delay prolongs our suffering and the suffering of those who care about us.

Whatever challenge you face in life, you do not have to face it alone. Excellent therapists are available to help. Make an appointment with one. You'll be glad you did.

Discomfort with Uncertainty

14 Things Excellent Therapists Do for You, Part One

We all need and benefit from therapists when we're dealing with challenges that are greater than we can deal with on our own. There is no shame in seeing a therapist. 

Too often we delay seeing a therapist and thereby prolong our suffering and delay our healing. Our delay not only harms us, it harms those who care about us. I know this from both my professional and personal experiences. 

Whether we need a physical therapist, occupational therapist, psychotherapist, or some other kind of therapist, we need our therapists to be excellent therapists. 

The following list is not exhaustive. However, it does list fourteen things I believe excellent therapists do.

Excellent therapists-

1. Give you a safe, confidential place in which to talk about what is important to you.

2. Attend to, serve, and take care of you while you're doing your healing work.

3. Listen to you and make sure that you know they are listening.

4. Empathize: see from your perspective and feel your feelings with you.

5. Validate your feelings and comfort you.

6. Reflect back to you what you express in order to help you better understand yourself and your experiences.

7. Help you make informed, constructive decisions about how to make your way forward.

Part Two of 14 Things Excellent Therapists Do for You will complete the list.

What do you think of the list so far? Would you add or remove anything from the first seven items on my list?

Living Your Life Makes You Sweat

Physical action isn't enough.

Living the life that you know in your heart

is yours to live, takes emotional, mental, and social labor.

It's like playing a game. The objective is to win at 

living your life until you die.

Playing makes you sweat.

You have to deal with your fears and frustrations,

make your moves,

celebrate your successes,

solve your problems,

connect with your allies,

and maneuver through obstacles.

Play hard. Make your moves.

Adapt. Celebrate. Take breaks.

Most important of all,

remember it's a game.

Take risks and have fun.

Emotions: Choose Well

Escape Less, Engage More

Keeping Changing until You Enjoy Your Life

Living Your Life Takes Courage

Know in Your Heart, See in Your Mind...

Find Some Light in Your Darkness

I Believe in You...