Dear Sam:

Regarding what kind of therapy: well, most important that the therapist is competent, empathetic and hard working; one who doesn’t think about you only during the time of the actual sessions; one who will evaluate you, come up with objectives for the therapy and strategies to accomplish those objectives, giving you a printed paper with his evaluation, objectives and strategy.

The therapist should be active in the sessions, not just sit there, appearing to listen and take notes, but someone who talks. Psychoeducation should be part of it- he should be clear about what he is doing. it shouldn’t be a mystery.

He or she should be a professional, not a friend-like for you to vent to. He should give you homework following some of the sessions, things to read or meditation to do or both. He should plan from one session to the next.

He or she, the therapist, shouldn’t “wing it”- it should be scientific, the process. He is there to promote your healing, he has a professional responsibility for you which he should take very seriously.

If the therapist practices CBT- that is good, but being open to different practices is a good idea, not to be rigid with one!

anita