CHOOSING A THERAPIST
Michael Dadson Ph.D. Counselling Psychologist operates his
clinic out of Brookswood, Langley, BC.
www.gentlecurrentstherapy.com
Why Therapy Can Be Helpful
There are many reasons for
deciding to see a professional counselor or therapist. There are the most
common reasons, which include grief, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, mood
management, relationship difficulties, trauma and PTSD. A more subtle and
common reason that we don’t often consider is dissatisfaction. Sometimes we are
not getting what we want out of life and the direction our lives are going in.
In fact, long term dissatisfaction is also a sign of depression, but we often
fail to see it as depression.
Sometimes our level of
dissatisfaction, anxiety, grief, depression, or PTSD symptoms do not seem to
get better in spite of our efforts to pull ourselves out of a slump. In these cases,
therapy can not only be very helpful, but it can change our lives, so we become
happier and more productive and experience a deeper sense of purpose and meaning.
In order for this shift to take place we need to choose the right professional.
In fact, research shows the quality of the therapeutic relationship is the most
important factor contributing to growth and change, and is more important than
the theoretical orientation or interventions. So how do we choose? Online
searches help and certainly personal recommendations for a clinic are also a
great start, but eventually the best indicator will that first session. What to look for?
What To Expect In The First Session
In that first session, notice if
the therapist can build a foundation of trust. Trust is fundamental and is
necessary to building a therapeutic relationship. It is the trust in the
relationship that creates a sense of safety and confidence in the process. The
relationship with the counselor must permeate each session with the sense that
the client can move to a place in themselves where they gain insight, are able
to see options, or to use a common euphemism, “see the light at the end of the
tunnel”. The journey begins when the client can have a comfort level to open up
and naturally share with their therapist.
Building Trust With Your Therapist
What helps develop this comfort
level? What helps are reassurances of confidentiality, openness, congruence,
and a non-judgmental perspective, along
with the ability of the professional to really listen and hear what the client
is saying so that the client feels heard and understood. What we all need to
trust is understanding and empathy coupled with acceptance and support in the
way of encouragement.
If the therapist gives advice, or
too quickly thinks they have identified the “problem” or the “problem person”,
or has the cure, these are indicators of a therapist taking up too much space
with their own perspectives. Through the qualities that build trust, the
therapist creates the space for the client to express, feel, and see themselves.
If in that first session you discover the therapist is not a good fit, don’t
give up. If the first person you visit is not a fit consider this experience can
be helpful identifying what you don’t want.
Keep going in your search, and don’t let a poor or bad first experience
discourage you.
The Types Of Therapy
The modality of therapy makes a
difference and it is important, but most important is that the therapist can be
flexible and adapt to the person and the person’s in the moment needs. For
instance, it can be emotionally focused, process oriented, sensory motor, observed
experiential integration (OEI), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDr),
neurofeedback, cognitive therapy, or other modality which combines science with
compassion and human understanding. If these modalities are research based and
demonstrated to be effective by science that is important. It is the
application of the modality and the ‘in the moment’ tracking of the individual
that adapts the therapy to the client’s current state of mind, which makes the
difference. This is made possible when the therapist engages the client with
the qualities that build and maintain trust.
If we change the way we think
about things, then the way we feel can change. Conversely, if we change the way
we feel about things then the way we think can change. Cognitive therapy is
evidence based and explores with the client how the way we think can change how
we feel. Emotionally focused therapy is evidenced based and experiences with
the client how the way we feel can change how we think. These are two approaches, but what is most
important is not the theory rather it is how it is applied. What is most
important for individual mental health is, ‘where the client is at in the
process of their growth’, and their ‘in the moment process of change’.
Insights Into Behavior
How we think and feel about
things provides insights into our behaviour. As a person arrives at their own insights
and conclusions they are then empowered and able, with the help of the
therapist as a guide, to strategize around shifts in behaviour. The beauty of this type of therapy is that
over time the client can start to identify how to manage their own thoughts and
feelings to become their own counsel, although it is always important to have
that that reflective presence when we go through those life defining moments.
Once again, it is important to choose what is best for each client in that
moment, for their unique situation.
What Research Has Shown Us About Therapy
Michael Dadson believes that
being compassionately present with others and using fine-tuned clinical skills
helps create the space and place necessary for growth. He has a deep belief in
the human capacity to find real-life resolutions to injuries and
challenges. Research has shown that this
happens best when we have access to understanding, support, respect and skilled
therapeutic interventions.
Guiding Principles In Therapy
Dr. Dadson and the Gentle
Currents Therapy clinic is guided by the following principles:
- All people possess intrinsic worth
and have the capacity to realize this.
- All individuals are worthy of
respect. The therapy space is one of acceptance and safety. Gender, race, sexual orientation, age,
religion, relationship and family status pose no barrier to the therapy process.
- Everyone has the capacity to grow
and change; readiness depends on each individual.
- Clients are the experts of their
experience and take responsibility for their gains in counselling and for their
personal successes; the counselor's role is that of attune,
facilitate and guide.
- Understanding comes first. If we
jump prematurely to tools and strategies, clients are left with generic, depersonalized
interventions.
- Most people benefit from
counselling at some point in their lives. This includes counselors too! At its best, counselling is a
healthy dialogue that identifies, promotes, and mobilizes clients’ strengths to reach personal
goals.
#depression #anxiety
#mentalhealth #trauma #PTSD #Brookswood #Langley #counselling #psychology
#clinic #eatingdisorder #michaeldadson
Topics Include:
Male Depression: Michael Dadson,
PhD on Therapy for Men
Treating Depression & Anxiety:
Michael Dadson, PhD on Treating Depression
What Couples Really Want: Michael
Dadson, PhD on Couples on Couples, Relationship and Family Therapy
PTSD in Veterans & First
Responders: Michael Dadson, PhD on PTSD Therapy
