Comments on: Please Suggest Elements of “Good” Therapy http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/03/19/please-suggest-elements-of-good-therapy/ <<exploring healthy therapy & counseling>> Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:47:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Sara Aharon http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/03/19/please-suggest-elements-of-good-therapy/#comment-13367 Sara Aharon Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:08:45 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=20#comment-13367 Hi, In addition to everything else that was said, I would like to add another element of Good Therapy: on-going professional development. I have been in the field for 20 years and always seek out new information and knowledge. This offers clients the most state-of-the-art therapy they can get. For example, the recent explosion in neuroscience research has to inform current approaches. It challenges some of the outdated notions about psychotherapy including the idea that good therapy has to involve some sort of catharsis and that exposure therapy is the best modality for conditions associated with trauma and high anxiety. To be effective we have to stay current, seek on-going education/training and offer our clients appropriate options. Hi,
In addition to everything else that was said, I would like to add another element of Good Therapy: on-going professional development. I have been in the field for 20 years and always seek out new information and knowledge. This offers clients the most state-of-the-art therapy they can get. For example, the recent explosion in neuroscience research has to inform current approaches. It challenges some of the outdated notions about psychotherapy including the idea that good therapy has to involve some sort of catharsis and that exposure therapy is the best modality for conditions associated with trauma and high anxiety. To be effective we have to stay current, seek on-going education/training and offer our clients appropriate options.

]]> By: giancarlo marinelli http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/03/19/please-suggest-elements-of-good-therapy/#comment-10735 giancarlo marinelli Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:41:40 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=20#comment-10735 I have similar views about "therapy", above all about the "self", and about the importance of relationship, it is the relationship that is true healing. Furthermore: I 'm philsophical counselor (by Società Italiana di Counseling FIlosofico, and family counselor, and I know the importance of the "depth" in non pathological help-relationship... I have similar views about “therapy”, above all about the “self”, and about the importance of relationship, it is the relationship that is true healing. Furthermore: I ‘m philsophical counselor (by Società Italiana di Counseling FIlosofico, and family counselor, and I know the importance of the “depth” in non pathological help-relationship…

]]> By: Nancy Stockwell, LCSW http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/03/19/please-suggest-elements-of-good-therapy/#comment-4123 Nancy Stockwell, LCSW Tue, 25 Sep 2007 05:38:07 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=20#comment-4123 I have found the quality of authenticity to be near the top of my list, along with empathy, an open mind, firm grounding, and willingness to suspend judgement. Skills experience, and education help. I have found the quality of authenticity to be near the top of my list, along with empathy, an open mind, firm grounding, and willingness to suspend judgement. Skills experience, and education help.

]]> By: Darrel Drumright DC, FASA http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/03/19/please-suggest-elements-of-good-therapy/#comment-3349 Darrel Drumright DC, FASA Mon, 10 Sep 2007 02:25:05 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=20#comment-3349 The Conscious moment is a bubble bounicng through a sea of fleeting perseptions and mostly assumptions. The only true guide to sanity is the rythm of your heart. Always ask yourself, how does this make me feel? Learn to trust your insight, and your outsight will improve tremendously. DrD 09-07 The Conscious moment is a bubble bounicng through a sea of fleeting perseptions and mostly assumptions. The only true guide to sanity is the rythm of your heart. Always ask yourself, how does this make me feel? Learn to trust your insight, and your outsight will improve tremendously.

DrD 09-07

]]> By: Therapist Cambridge http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/03/19/please-suggest-elements-of-good-therapy/#comment-2863 Therapist Cambridge Thu, 30 Aug 2007 18:57:29 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=20#comment-2863 ...it is so wonderful to find a community of professionals that is so positively oriented. I would like to add that I am a Yoga Therapist because of two basic aspects of wellness ; Yogic science encompasses and revolves around the basic principle that all beings are born Whole. In the processes of 'culturization', the 'Self' can become desensitized by habitual patterns of armoring, abandonment, even poor nutrition. Yoga Therapy provides the tools for 'reunion' with that Whole Self via natural means of breath, movement and mindfulness. The Whole 'Self' is clearly defined by such aspects, as physical, mental, emotional, all of which can be understood and managed . With some information and empowerment towards deepening of relationship through conscious experience, integration of these aspects creates sanity out of chaos. My best wishes to all on their Paths. n.b …it is so wonderful to find a community of professionals that is so positively oriented.
I would like to add that I am a Yoga Therapist because of two basic aspects of wellness ;

Yogic science encompasses and revolves around the basic principle that all beings are born Whole. In the processes of ‘culturization’, the ‘Self’ can become desensitized by habitual patterns of armoring, abandonment, even poor nutrition. Yoga Therapy provides the tools for ‘reunion’ with that Whole Self via natural means of breath, movement and mindfulness.

The Whole ‘Self’ is clearly defined by such aspects, as physical, mental, emotional, all of which can be understood and managed . With some information and empowerment towards deepening of relationship through conscious experience, integration of these aspects creates sanity out of chaos.

My best wishes to all on their Paths. n.b

]]> By: Matthew Cohen, MA. LMFT http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/03/19/please-suggest-elements-of-good-therapy/#comment-2255 Matthew Cohen, MA. LMFT Sat, 04 Aug 2007 17:37:34 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=20#comment-2255 Dear Noah, I was both heartened and delighted as I read your mission statement to receive an invitation to become a participant in a community of “good therapists”. It is wonderful to discover that there are like-minded therapists out there who understand how crucial it is to go deep with our clients when that is so obviously what’s called for, to really do right by them. I point out to my clients that insight without action isn’t good therapy. It is equally true that in learning to tolerate discomfort for growth by plowing the depths of where we feel emotionally trapped, insights then emerge which make new behavior outside the existing patterns even possible. Inner strength, resourcefulness, and our humanity are discovered in going to where we’re stuck. This is obviously true for therapist and client alike. I find that working this way doesn’t often lend itself to short term therapy. It takes time to create the resonance necessary for therapist and client to sit together and tolerate as collaborative partners that discomfort of not knowing, while waiting for the deeper feeling into, seeing, and avenue for change to be revealed. With kindest regards, Matthew Dear Noah,

I was both heartened and delighted as I read your mission statement to receive an invitation to become a participant in a community of “good therapists”. It is wonderful to discover that there are like-minded therapists out there who understand how crucial it is to go deep with our clients when that is so obviously what’s called for, to really do right by them. I point out to my clients that insight without action isn’t good therapy. It is equally true that in learning to tolerate discomfort for growth by plowing the depths of where we feel emotionally trapped, insights then emerge which make new behavior outside the existing patterns even possible. Inner strength, resourcefulness, and our humanity are discovered in going to where we’re stuck. This is obviously true for therapist and client alike. I find that working this way doesn’t often lend itself to short term therapy. It takes time to create the resonance necessary for therapist and client to sit together and tolerate as collaborative partners that discomfort of not knowing, while waiting for the deeper feeling into, seeing, and avenue for change to be revealed.

With kindest regards,

Matthew

]]> By: Myra Reichel http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/03/19/please-suggest-elements-of-good-therapy/#comment-2069 Myra Reichel Fri, 27 Jul 2007 10:32:28 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=20#comment-2069 A "Good Therapist" seeks support and healing for themselves so that they can be clear to give support to others on their healing journey. A “Good Therapist” seeks support and healing for themselves so that they can be clear to give support to others on their healing journey.

]]> By: Therapist Box Hill http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/03/19/please-suggest-elements-of-good-therapy/#comment-2015 Therapist Box Hill Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:32:05 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=20#comment-2015 My book THE SYMPTOM IS NOT THE WHOLE STORY (Other Press, 2006)stresses the current obsession with relieving the symptom without finding out the roots of it. Agree: insight does not cure anything BUT without insight the patient is treated like a robot. Intellectual cloning is what those who oppose human cloning want (ask W, if in doubt). We, in the psychodynamic tradition, want the client to know why she or he is suffering, so s/he can correct whatever is the cause of the "dis-order." Without this, the patient is not in control and does not become empowered to run his/her own life. By the way, the new Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual (PDM), only $35 even thoughn it is a big as a phonebook, opens up a bright perspective balancing the abominable behavioral classification manual or DSM, that is NOT a diagnostic book. My book THE SYMPTOM IS NOT THE WHOLE STORY (Other Press, 2006)stresses the current obsession with relieving the symptom without finding out the roots of it. Agree: insight does not cure anything BUT without insight the patient is treated like a robot. Intellectual cloning is what those who oppose human cloning want (ask W, if in doubt). We, in the psychodynamic tradition, want the client to know why she or he is suffering, so s/he can correct whatever is the cause of the “dis-order.” Without this, the patient is not in control and does not become empowered to run his/her own life. By the way, the new Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual (PDM), only $35 even thoughn it is a big as a phonebook, opens up a bright perspective balancing the abominable behavioral classification manual or DSM, that is NOT a diagnostic book.

]]> By: Greg Miller http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/03/19/please-suggest-elements-of-good-therapy/#comment-1093 Greg Miller Tue, 19 Jun 2007 21:02:05 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=20#comment-1093 Eclectic Eclectic

]]> By: Therapist Auburn http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/03/19/please-suggest-elements-of-good-therapy/#comment-403 Therapist Auburn Sun, 15 Apr 2007 15:35:59 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=20#comment-403 Seeing one's patient as a whole person, in all his/her complexity, and partnering with this person so that he/she can tend to her own wounds and set in motion the self-healing process is a philosophy of therapy I embrace. Allowing one to "be" who one "is" in the presence of another is a gift but also a birthright. A good enough therapist, just like a good enough parent, can help right the wrongs, and help heal the wounds of such early losses. I believe it is in the relationship (as close to I-thou as a therapy might allow) that catalpults a person into the realm of healthy, wholesome and soulful living. Seeing one’s patient as a whole person, in all his/her complexity, and partnering with this person so that he/she can tend to her own wounds and set in motion the self-healing process is a philosophy of therapy I embrace. Allowing one to “be” who one “is” in the presence of another is a gift but also a birthright. A good enough therapist, just like a good enough parent, can help right the wrongs, and help heal the wounds of such early losses. I believe it is in the relationship (as close to I-thou as a therapy might allow) that catalpults a person into the realm of healthy, wholesome and soulful living.

]]> By: Dr Bob Rich http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/03/19/please-suggest-elements-of-good-therapy/#comment-377 Dr Bob Rich Sun, 15 Apr 2007 09:49:52 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=20#comment-377 I would go beyond your principles of non-pathologizing to state that a person never IS a problem. A person HAS problem. This is inherently empowering, in that a problem can be worked on, a habit can be changed, while a faulty person is presumably unfixable. I would go beyond your principles of non-pathologizing to state that a person never IS a problem. A person HAS problem. This is inherently empowering, in that a problem can be worked on, a habit can be changed, while a faulty person is presumably unfixable.

]]> By: Noah http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/03/19/please-suggest-elements-of-good-therapy/#comment-101 Noah Tue, 27 Mar 2007 04:16:26 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=20#comment-101 Thanks you two for suggestion your ideas to add to the elements of good therapy. Keep 'em coming! Noah :) Thanks you two for suggestion your ideas to add to the elements of good therapy. Keep ‘em coming! Noah :)

]]> By: Therapist Andover http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/03/19/please-suggest-elements-of-good-therapy/#comment-95 Therapist Andover Mon, 26 Mar 2007 21:09:39 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=20#comment-95 A therapist should be licensed and subject to a Code of Ethics in h/her field. The therapist should be current in her field, that is h/she does on-going training regularly each year. Also, a consumer should ask about credentials and certification in the therapy models used by the therapist. For example, many therapist say they do EMDR but they are not certified. Rather they only took Level I and II training that provides simply the basics for the model. Patti Desert in Baltimore, MD A therapist should be licensed and subject to a Code of Ethics in h/her field. The therapist should be current in her field, that is h/she does on-going training regularly each year. Also, a consumer should ask about credentials and certification in the therapy models used by the therapist. For example, many therapist say they do EMDR but they are not certified. Rather they only took Level I and II training that provides simply the basics for the model. Patti Desert in Baltimore, MD

]]> By: Dr. Darrel Drumright http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2007/03/19/please-suggest-elements-of-good-therapy/#comment-86 Dr. Darrel Drumright Mon, 26 Mar 2007 14:19:21 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=20#comment-86 Another very important part of good therapy is the concept of wholeness. This concept states that there is not distinct separation of the human mind, body or spirit. Any imbalance in the being will manifest in all three aspects of the person and a therapist should recognize the initial imbalancing insult could be in any of the three areas. Further, the presenting symptoms may be only compensation issues, if treated alone will never stablilize the person. You must get to know the person to discover the underlying causative imbalance. DrD Another very important part of good therapy is the concept of wholeness. This concept states that there is not distinct separation of the human mind, body or spirit. Any imbalance in the being will manifest in all three aspects of the person and a therapist should recognize the initial imbalancing insult could be in any of the three areas. Further, the presenting symptoms may be only compensation issues, if treated alone will never stablilize the person. You must get to know the person to discover the underlying causative imbalance.

DrD

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