The work of a psychologist is still wrapped in mystery and myths, which are often caused by the misleading and at the same time comicaldepiction of the psychologist in films. 🙈
Recently, my girlfriend and I started watching the series "Gypsy" (2017, USA, Netflix), and oh my... The heroine of the series, Jane, lies to herself and her loved ones, and sleeps with the other half of a client, in other words, treads the reddest lines of ethics. 😨 Drama first, content last.
On the other hand, the creators can be praised for the effort to picture a psychologist’s imperfection. After all, we also are people who go to therapy and deal with our own difficulties. Often, the depth of the wound is directly related to the mastery of the professional. Personal experiences make it possible to better understand and respond to clients’ concerns and encourage them to invest in themselves, which means also in quality services.
❕ This month is significant for me because after ten years of focused psychological studies and inner work, I finally started to feel what the daily bread of a consulting psychologist means. Here are five fresh insights for which I feel grateful to my clients - those who have suffered but dared to help themselves:
1. "Shame is a powerful barrier to change". Shame is one of the strongest negative emotions that prevents us from making changes in our lives. Therefore, accepting, supporting, and encouraging clients is crucial for their growth.
2. "Trauma comes in many forms". Violence, bullying, and neglect (or overcare) are just some of the traumatic events that clients often identify when discussing the origins of their difficulties.
3. "Relationships are like oxygen". Loneliness is one of the strongest sources of anxiety and depressive mood. On the contrary, a close relationship with a significant other or relatives is one of the strongest psychological resources that help us cope with emotional difficulties. 4. "The psychologist's transparencybenefits the client". My feelings during the conversation (for example, discomfort if the client tries to convince me about something or my concern if the client's behavior negatively affects those around him) and my ability to constructively express them often help clients identify the causes of their difficulties in the “here and now” and take responsibility for their actions.
5. "It's better to be open about money". The budget for sessions with a psychologist is an uncomfortable but important topic that must be discussed with clients during the first sessions to understand client motivation better and reduce the risk of clients dropping out of sessions.
Do you want to improve your psychological functioning? Feel free to book individual consultations and sessions. I will help as much as I can. ❤️