Pbenjay's Blog

Now here’s some thoughts and words you probably never expected to hear a therapist talk about.  Dr. Barry Lubetkin sounds off on his profession!

Personality and Psychotherapy – John Dollard and Neal E. Miller (Photo credit: Gwendal_)

” The experience of psychotherapy and mental health counseling is such a potentially life changing period in so many peoples lives that it should require the practitioner to proceed with the highest degree of professionalism , intelligence and creativity. And yet several times each month new patients to my practice complain about past therapists who they feel let them down in one significant way or another. Therapists are imperfect human beings of course,but some of these “errors” seem way beyond the pale.

The therapist who insists that you MUST continue with sessions even though you are quite certain you need to take a break.
The therapist who charges you for missed sessions when you are on vacation.
The therapist who never discusses explicitly the goals of therapy.
The therapist who often seems distracted,sleepy or disinterested during your session.
The therapist who gossips about other patients or about the celebrities they have treated.
The therapist who is so stuck on one theoretical orientation,that they won’t study the literature about other approaches which might help you.
The therapist who NEVER gives advice and ALWAYS asks “what do you think”
The therapist who gets defensive when you say you want a second opinion from another therapist.
The therapist who belittles you.

The list could be much longer! You have the right as a patient to question your therapists behavior and skills. DONT accept laziness,indifference,or NON constructive criticism. There are many many wonderful,compassionate and skilled therapists out there. Find one and celebrate your own growth!”
You can reach Dr. Lubetkin to obtain more information or to ask a question at: The Institute For Behavior Therapy at IBT104@AOL.com