Struggling with mental health issues and need help? Are you looking to take therapy sessions in Mumbai with a licensed psychologist and want to understand more about therapy and how can it be beneficial for you?
This blog article intends to explain the difference between talking to friends and family versus therapeutic talking with a professional therapist. Lastly, how can you identify a genuine therapist and what are the red flags to watch out for.
Difference Between Talking to Friends and Family V/S a Licensed Psychologist
Let’s explore how talking to a licensed psychologist is different from talking to friends and family. A commonly held assumption about therapy is that it simply consists of talking or venting of thoughts and feelings; and can be easily done with close friends and family. While psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy. Does comprise of clients discussing their issues with a therapist.
1. Psychologists Are Trained To Be Active Listeners:
Firstly, talking to a licensed psychologist for therapy is different from talking with friends and family because a psychologist is trained in empathy and active listening skills. A psychologist provides you with a safe space, that is non – judgmental, and you can freely express yourself without the fear of being judged, misunderstood or criticized for your thoughts and actions.
For example, if you are facing trauma or emotional distress, well-meaning friends and family may not be able to empathise and accurately understand your perspective making you feel unheard and, in some cases, giving random unsolicited advice. In an attempt to help you snap out of your problems you may have often heard, from friends and family – “we had it worse in our times”, “you should just get over it”, “be grateful it was not so bad”. While these statements come from a place of concern. They are still unhelpful for a person experiencing trauma or emotional distress.
A psychologist does not give unsolicited advice, opinions or solutions. Rather their role is to help you understand your issues through the use of counselling techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Radical Acceptance etc. Empowering you to understand your patterns and work through your trauma.
2. Psychologist Maintains Confidentiality And Privacy:
Secondly, private details shared in conversations with your trusted friends and family, there could be a chance of it turning into gossip and your secrets may be unknowingly shared with others.
A psychologist is bound by ethical codes of conduct and will treat all your conversations with them as confidential and private. Which means that everything you share with a psychologist during your therapy sessions will not be shared with any third parties, your friends or family without your explicit consent. The exception to this rule being, if ordered by the court of law or if the therapist deems you to be in danger to yourself or others.
3. Psychologist Is Objective And Unbiased:
Unlike friends and family who may have vested interests in your issues or may want to prove themselves right by asserting themselves and giving you well-meaning but biased or unsolicited advice.
A psychologist’s role is to remain objective and unbiased. As a part of their study and training, psychologists are taught to be self-aware of their biases and trained to remain neutral and objective without taking away the focus from you.
For example, you maybe going through a hard time at work and need to talk about it. A friend may or may not always be ready to provide you with unconditional support and be a listening ear to your problems.
In contrast, in a therapy session the focus is on you and your problems. A therapist is trained in providing you with unconditional regard and support you with your mental or emotional issues by asking you questions. If necessary, challenging you to change your unhelpful thought process and behavior patterns that are keeping you stuck in your current issues.
How Do I Know My Therapist is Genuine?
Armchair psychology has given rise to a number of untrained individuals who call themselves therapists offering therapy services. It can be confusing to identify a licensed psychologists from the quacks. Here are a few ways to know if your therapist is genuine and red flags to watch out for.
Red Flag 1: Your Therapy Sessions Feel Like a Gossip Session with a Friend
A major red flag a therapist is not genuine is that they regularly divulge personal details of their lives and experiences. You feel like you know them personally and they indulge in gossip with you during your therapy sessions. A therapist should not be your friend or create a relationship of friendship between you and themselves. They are supposed to be professional in their conduct towards you, maintaining boundaries and be ethical.
Serene Hour is the best counselling service in Mumbai. Psychologist Sherene Chaz a licensed psychologist, member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) uses therapy skills to build rapport and guide you on how to process difficult emotions or experiences. Help you in challenging and reframing negative narratives. Even if it’s not always something you want to hear or feel good about. You will have clear outline and objectives to accomplish through your therapy sessions.
Red Flag 2: They Are Unethical In Their Conduct Towards You
Another important red flag to watch out for is making sexual advances and romantic gestures towards the client. While the therapeutic nature of therapy creates familiarity and vulnerability. A good therapist must maintain their boundaries and not have any kind of relationships with a client (romantic relations, friendships or business partnerships). This is unethical and violates the therapist code of conduct.
Secondly, they are unprofessional in their conduct during the therapy session such as being frequently late, looking bored or disinterested during the session. Last minute session cancellations and taking personal calls during the therapy session.
FAQ about Benefits of Therapy with a Licensed Psychologist
Benefits of Taking Therapy with a Licensed Psychologist?
There are numerous benefits to taking therapy with a licensed psychologist such as, learning healthy coping mechanisms, improved interpersonal relationships and processing grief and trauma.
What are the Types of Therapy Services Available at Serene Hour?
Individual therapy, couples therapy and play therapy for children.
Concluding Thoughts
Close friendships and family ties are an important source of support system. However, as demonstrated in this article, cannot be a substitute for therapy with a licensed psychologist. While choosing to take therapy sessions with a therapist can be confusing and unnerving. It can get easier if you know the red flags to watch out for in therapist.