When I worked in the detoxification setting I always emphasized to the patients to learn as much as they could about their addiction and/or other mental health issues (self-efficacy). In that way, when they converse with professionals they have the language of their disorders and can be more easily understood. In addition, the professionals they deal with will understand that here is a patient that understands their need to be a part of the process, and is directing their recovery.
Another suggestion I would make to them is the first time with a new therapist, "interview them," yes, that's right, interview them. Just because they have initials after their name does not mean they will automatically be a good 'fit.'
Questions to ask them may be such as: "What type of therapy, or therapy style do you employ, where did you do your clinical training, do you work with a lot of clients that have my issues, are you comfortable working with people that have my issues, etc."
A mistake that clients will sometimes make is when they feel their relationship with a therapist is not working out, or, is going nowhere, they just stop going.
Big Mistake. You don't show up for two or three sessions, the therapist can essentially just write you off their books. Whereas, if you talk it out with them and you still do not believe you can work with them, then ethically, they have to refer you to somebody else (if you ask them).
Another area that people in recovery sometimes get hung up on is the idea that they have to, or, only want to go a therapist that is in recovery themselves. While this may or may not be advantageous, I would be more concerned with their professional expertise and clinical training.
You want to talk to someone that has been through what you are going through, then go to a 12 Step Meeting and get a Sponsor.
I remember attending the annual Harvard Medical School/Cambridge Hospital, "Treating the Addictions' conference many years ago and hearing a presenter, Dr. Lance Dodes, author of the book, "The Heart of Addiction." It was his contention that a person in recovery seeking a therapist should be more concerned with that person's knowledge of individual therapy then just the addiction issue alone.
At that point of my addiction counseling career, my own thinking was heading in that direction. Another 13 years plus working inpatient psych/addiction has confirmed his contention to myself even more.
1 comment:
I'm asked all the time if I'm in recovery. I understand that a patient wants to talk/ meet with a TX that REALLY knows personally the shame, guilt, psychological and biological hold their addiction has on them, and how the tx got clean ans STAYED sober.
I learned from a mentor a long time back that addicts believe they want a tx who's "been there" but in reality they want a tx who truly understands the pain shame guilt and all the other precipitating factors that contribute to "that clients battle with addiction and in most cases other mental health issues that need to be treated along with the addiction. I always ask antietam if they were diagnosed with cancer would they only steel out a dr. Who's been a cancer survivor or would you want a dr who's highly regarded for the amount of pt's treated that went into remission.
Just a thought
-kb
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