Blogging on Good Therapy

By Sarah Jenkins, MC, LPC

Click here to contact Sarah and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile

At a recent event, I had the joy of watching a boy, no more than seven years old, exploring his world. His energy sparkled and his spirit was pure; he was an “old soul,” to say the least. As part of a “quest” he was asked to bring back the answer to the question “what is wisdom?” He waited patiently as my friend and I considered our reply. The answer was painstakingly difficult, and at best, only touched the surface of wisdom’s substance. “Wisdom is knowing and doing the right thing, even if it is the hardest thing to do.” Off he went, and there we stood, dumbfounded.

I continued to ponder the boy’s question, and our brief answer. I considered how often the universe asks us to do the wisest thing, which is often the thing that hurts the most. Yet, our humanness, and our desire to not suffer, or see others suffering, blocks us from doing that very thing. Instead of pushing through the pain, facing it, exploring the suffering, some chose not to do the wisest thing. It can seem counter intuitive. The wisest thing can be, in actuality, the choice that would hurt the most, initially, even if is more helpful in the long run.

Maybe you know that something in your life is not healthy, right for you, or even puts you in danger. Wisdom tells you “I need to stop this,” but the expectation of the pain from that decision over rules you. Instead of listening to your inner wisdom, you allow the fear of the suffering to take over. You do nothing, or the same thing. We do suffer, and will, but it is at the other side of suffering that wisdom develops. Wisdom comes from experiencing what is difficult, surviving it, healing from it, and ultimately, integrating what is learned. (more…)

by Sarah Jenkins, MC, LPC

Click here to contact Sarah and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile

That which we do not bring to consciousness appears in our lives as fate. — Carl Jung

As the year has come to a close, I have spent a great deal of time reflecting on the experiences, lessons, and even challenges that it brought. Like a tide washing over the beach, in and back out again, the year came and went. It left, just as quickly as it came, but not without exquisite shells in its wake. As I have reflected on my time with clients, and the work we do, I know that each of them experiences “healing” differently. Nevertheless, I have found, that Carl Jung was right. We must heal, from within, and explore unchartered territories. Besides, they are there, just waiting for us to explore.

Unchartered Territories

Old English map makers often marked the edges of maps with imposing dragons, serpents, and other terrifying mythological beasts. Unsurveyed waters threatened sea fearers. Some chose not to venture into those unchartered territories. It was too scary and represented the unknown. Others, gathered their resources, planned for the quest, and hoped for the best.

Sometimes, you also have to ask yourself, which type of explorer you will be. Sometimes you have to ask yourself if it is worth the emotional risk. Perhaps it is more of a risk to stay exactly where you are, motionless, static, and still on the shore. (more…)

by Tonya Ladipo, LCSW

Click here to contact Tonya and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile

There are many different ideas about why we don’t seek therapy. Some believe that it is only for wealthy, White people, others believe that you don’t go outside the family with your problems. Some of these thoughts keep us struggling more than we need to. Here are some of the more prevalent ones.

“But I’m not touched”
Many of us think you have to be “touched” or “crazy” to go to therapy.” While it’s true that some people with mental health issues seek therapy, it’s really a service for anyone. Therapy is a paid service that connects you with a trained professional who provides you with the support you need to live a healthier and happier life.

When I first met “Andre” he was apprehensive about seeking therapy. For many months, he questioned whether or not he should be in therapy. Overall, he felt that his life was manageable and that he did not have enough problems to go to therapy, after all he had a job and people who cared about him. He certainly was not “crazy”. After several discussions about the purpose of therapy and its benefits to him as a rationale person, Andre accepted his desire for therapy. In fact, in a recent session Andre said that the healthiest people he knows are all in therapy. He realizes that therapy is a place that can benefit everyone, not just a small segment of the population. Andre further explained that the people he knows who have the most problems aren’t in therapy. Of course, as a therapist, this makes perfect sense to me. Recognizing that your life is not how you want it to be or that you need additional support takes a lot of courage and self-reflection. These are not the thoughts of a “crazy” person. Rather, this is the thought process of someone who has a sense of who they are and wants more from their life and themselves. (more…)

The items listed below are significant red-flags and important information for anyone in therapy or considering therapy. If any of the following red-flags appear during the course of your counseling, it may be time to reevaluate your counselor or therapist. Should you recognize one of these red-flags, the first step, in most cases, is to discuss your concern with your counselor. Try talking candidly about what’s bothering you. A good therapist should be open and willing to understand your concerns. If your counselor doesn’t take your concerns seriously or is unwilling to accept feedback, then it’s probably in your best interest to consult with another therapist about it. Most therapists mean well and are willing to take accountability for their own “stuff.” So, it’s also important to give your therapist the benefit of the doubt…all people make minor mistakes. And sometimes what people think is their therapist’s issue, is actually their own. These “blind spots” can be the most difficult to see and are well worth taking about with your therapist.

It’s also important to note that the following red-flags have varying degrees of significance. Some of them are very serious violations of ethical standards, such as a therapist attempting to have a sexual relationship with a client. There is no exception to this rule and if you find yourself in such a situation you are advised to report to the state professional licensing board and consult with other professionals. However, a number of the red-flags listed below do have “exceptions to the rule” and depend partly on the context. For example, it’s generally unacceptable for therapists to have dual relationships with their clients. So if a counselor is treating the neighborhood barber for his depression, the counselor goes to a different barber to avoid confusing the “client-therapist” relationship. However, in small communities it can be impossible to avoid certain dual relationships. Ethical guidelines are flexible enough to take this, and some other exceptions, into account.

In no particular order, it is a red flag if you find that your: (more…)

by Jennifer B Baxt, LMFT, LMHC

Click here to contact Jennifer and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile

Our world is ever changing. Fifty years ago, in the 1950’s, and for all time before that, divorce was almost unheard of. Couples married, and expected to remain married for life. Because divorce was so taboo at that time, couples managed to work out their problems, and make the best of their situations. They simply had to learn how to live together, because the alternative was literally ‘unthinkable’ and not to be considered.

Things have certainly changed! Today, more than half of all marriages end in divorce. We no longer are required to learn how to live with each other, because there is always the option of ‘getting out’ without society ‘marking’ us for the effort. You’ve probably heard of ‘starter marriages.’ You may have thought it was a joke. It isn’t.

The truth is that anyone who is serious about maintaining a relationship will benefit from couple therapy. Even the strongest of relationships can benefit and grow even stronger with the help of a qualified couple’s therapist. (more…)

by Pat Kanakis, LMFT

Click here to contact Pat and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile

I read an article in the Los Angeles Times today; 2-2-2008, that talked about a study done on people with the purpose of finding out what was the most difficult time of a persons life. The findings were that women in their mid to late 40’s and men in their early 50’s have the most difficult time in life. The surprising part of the study was that it expected to find older adults with more struggles but the article stated that a person in their 60’s and older stated they realized the importance of time and used it better thereby reporting less difficulties in this age range. I don’t know how valid the study was but it got me thinking. I agreed with the results based on what I see in therapy sessions and have experienced in my own life and with my friends. Being a 40 something woman myself, I thought of some of the changes I have been through in the last few years. (more…)

by Andrew Walen, LGSW

Click here to contact Andrew and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile

When you look at your body in the mirror, two things occur. First, you see the body’s physical structure; its size, shape, texture, curves, and nuances – great and small. Then comes the part that’s hard to control – the thoughts and comments that swirl about our brains concerning the body in that mirror. Oh man, can those cause trouble!

It’s usually at this point when most of us look at our bodies and berate ourselves for not having that flat stomach, or shapely thighs and buttocks, or taut breasts and biceps that many of us crave. But these thoughts are not just passing emotional blows to the psyche. For nearly 60 percent of women and over 40 percent of men in the United States, they are constant barrages of hatred and self-loathing. They are statements that bend and distort the reality of our perceptions about the body and its abilities, and thus the core beliefs we have about our worth as human beings. (more…)

Written by John Gerson, Ph.D.

Click here to contact John and/or see his GoodTherapy.org Profile

The scenario of one spouse recognizing that therapy might be useful to look at a troubled relationship while the other is resistant has several possible explanations.

It may be that your partner may be too anxious as a product of interpreting your request for counseling as a sign that the relationship is in serious danger, and may only have the strength to defend against the anxiety by denial and non-participation. Your partner may also feel too threatened by the notion that he or she is to blame for your relationship difficulties, and visualizes a therapy session as one in which you persuade the therapist of this unilateral conception. The fear here is of you being the complaining, “righteous” partner who co-opts the therapist in a biased alliance against him or her. In addition, your resistant partner may not feel as competent to present his or her case to the therapist as you might, since after all, you are fueled by pain and indignation of one kind or another. Again, for this mate, refusing to go to therapy is a way to reduce anxiety, at least short-term.

If you find yourself in this situation,… (more…)

Written by Jeffrey Chernin Ph.D., Lic. MFT

Click here to contact Jeffrey and/or see his GoodTherapy.org Profile

If you are considering therapy, I’d like to dispel a few myths and offer you some ideas to consider in finding the right therapist for you. Of the myths, probably the hardest one to overcome is that to be strong means to be able to solve problems on your own. Paradoxically, however, admitting your weaknesses and asking for help is a sign of strength.

Another myth is that mental health professionals do something to make people change. As great as this would be, individuals are ultimately responsible for making their own changes. Therapists help clients make the changes they desire.

A third myth is that therapy can be accomplished in a few sessions. While some problems are eased by short-term therapy, most people gain by having a longer therapy experience. A large survey by Consumer Reports (October, 2004) noted that overall the longer people stayed in therapy, the more they improved. People who stayed for more than six months reported greater gains than those who left earlier.

Survey respondents said that therapy helped in three major ways:

• Eased the presenting problems
• Helped them to function better
• Enhanced personal growth. This growth included better self-esteem, more confidence, and enjoyment from life

Another part of functioning better is developing insight into unconscious thoughts and motivations. Some thoughts are automatic, and we need to slow them down in order to fully understand them. Slowing thoughts down changes brain chemistry is similar to meditation or yoga. In fact, several studies have shown that long-term therapy is as effective as medication for treating depression and anxiety.

When entering therapy, therapists should welcome questions, such as education level, experience, and type of therapy. A therapist may not answer all personal questions, but he or she should explore the meaning behind the questions. A consultation or the first session is a good time to ask questions you have.

After one or two sessions, you should be feeling pretty comfortable about opening up. If you don’t feel comfortable, bring it up in session. If your therapist becomes defensive, continue your search. If not, maybe the two of you just aren’t the best fit. In either case, a discussion is a good way to look at what’s going on.

Look for certain qualities in selecting a therapist. It should be someone who:

• Considers your individual needs
• Encourages you to voice any concerns
• Is licensed and had good credentials
• Points out options and possibilities but never tells you what to do
• Is able to form a respectful, professional relationship

Over the course of therapy, the major focus should be on you. Therapists should talk very little about their personal lives, and even then it should be with an intention to be helpful. Practitioners should not talk about their current problems or spend time with you outside of sessions. Even though we sometimes feel like we live in a small town, that’s no reason to be invited by your therapist to social events or for your therapist to attend yours.

Because you’re delving into very personal areas and have found someone who understands you, it’s not unusual to develop feelings for your therapist. If you do, your therapist should help you sort out and understand your feelings.

He or she will never mention a reciprocal attraction – this is a red flag and you should contact another therapist for a second opinion. Also, think about asking your therapist for a referral if you cannot give up your attraction and find yourself hiding personal issues in order to “look good.” In any case, a qualified therapist remains professional at all times and you can either try to work through these feelings on your own (as many clients do) or bring it up for discussion.

Sometimes people are reluctant to enter therapy because they fear it will be painful. Although there are times when it may be uncomfortable, therapy – like crying – actually helps release the pain. And releasing pain is only a slice of how a therapist can help you. As you address the issues that brought you into therapy, it presents you with the possibility for better coping skills and greater self-esteem as well as much growth and discovery.

©Copyright 2007 Jeffrey Chernin, Ph.D., Lic. MFT
All Rights Reserved. Permission to publish granted to GoodTherapy.org. The following article was solely written and edited by the author named above. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by GoodTherapy.org. Questions or concerns about the following article can be directed to the author or posted as a comment to this blog entry. Click here to contact Jeffrey and/or see his GoodTherapy.org Profile

Written by Mary DuParri, MA, LPC

Click here to contact Mary and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile

Are there parts of yourself that you do not like? Do you sometimes wish that you did not have an angry part or a shy part or some other part that gets in the way of you being who you want to be? Do you feel, at times, that you have been hijacked by your emotions or that you are reacting to things in extreme ways that do not reflect who you really are?

Most of us have parts like that. We have parts that may be triggered by circumstances, by other people or by issues from the past. We have parts that silence us though we say we want to be assertive. We have parts that help us stay unnoticed though we feel lonely. We have parts that push us so hard to work and be successful that we barely have time for fun. Or, parts that push so much toward fun that we have a hard time following through and being successful at work or school. We have parts of self that worry too much and get anxious, or parts that get angry or sad more often than we like. We have parts that cry too much, eat or drink too much or sleep too much.

Many of us try numerous ways to get rid of these negative parts of ourselves. We try ignoring them. We try distracting ourselves with positive thoughts or activities. We set personal goals and create steps to reach them. We get motivated and focused and decide that once and for all we are going to overcome our negative traits. And somehow, the traits keep coming back.

Do you wonder why, though we are smart and well intentioned, we cannot get rid of these negative parts of self? (more…)

Written by Jodi Blackley, M.S., M.F.T.

Have you considered going to therapy, but have yet to pick up the phone? What’s stopping you? Are you worried what others might think? Are you wondering if therapy is really for you? Maybe you’re trying to decide if spending the money is worth it.

When I scour the web, I read posts from many people looking for therapist referrals. They ask for “good therapists,” or “therapists who use Cognitive-Behavioral therapy.” If you check out message boards like, Craigslist.org, it’s no wonder trying to figure out if there are benefits to therapy. There’s so much pessimism about therapy that many people steer away from it.

However, there’s good news! Researchers at The Institute for the Study of Therapeutic Change (ISTC) and Partners for Change have proven that there is value in therapy. (more…)

Written by John C. Rhead, Ph.D.

Click here to contact John and/or see his GoodTherapy.org Profile

DEFINITION OF PSYCHOTHERAPY

For the purposes of this essay, I will use the term “psychotherapy” to refer to a particular type of interpersonal process intended to facilitate conscious awareness of that which had previously been unconscious.  It is not meant to include the direct attempt to modify behavior, whether overt as action or covert as thoughts and feelings, through medication or manipulation of the external consequences of behavior.  Similarly, it does not include counseling, coaching, advising, or teaching as its primary goal.

THE RECENT HISTORY OF PSYCHOTHERAPY

In its current form psychotherapy has been popular for only about a century, although its roots are ancient.  Freud called attention to the importance of the personal unconscious, repository of those thoughts and feelings which are unique to a particular individual and presumed to be a result of his or her personal life experiences and genetically transmitted instincts.  Jung invited us to notice the collective unconscious, where we find ourselves connected to all of humanity through shared patterns of thoughts and feelings.  Each of them found the contents of a person’s dreams to be of particular value in accessing the unconscious, whether personal or collective.   Many followers of these two pioneers have refined the methodology for accessing these two types of unconscious material and integrating it into one’s conscious awareness, particularly with regard to the manifestation of unconscious material in the transference and countertransference.  However, Freud and Jung deserve most of the credit for making popular in modern culture the idea that the exploration and integration of unconscious material is a very important task, perhaps even the most important task any person can undertake.  (more…)

Written by Jeanette Raymond, Ph.D.

Click here to contact Jeanette and/or see her GoodTherapy.org Profile

If you are considering entering into psychotherapy chances are it is because of a strong sense of unease within yourself. There is a powerful urge to get rid of that discomfort no matter how it is manifest. It may be anger, jealousy, guilt, feeling constantly wounded, fear of losing an important relationship, or a sense of frustration/dissatisfaction with the way  life is. Often there is a need to feel in control of your life, or a desire to discover if you are lovable no matter how bad you think you are. Sometimes there is a massive fear of change and needing a place where the world can stop for a while. Whatever the initial reason for seeking psychotherapy the basis for the work will mean exploring the relationship you have with yourself. The process can be long and arduous and it takes courage and forbearance. It requires allowing yourself to pass through many stages of self-discovery while you get relief from your discomfort. (more…)

Written by Julie Simons, LCSW

“So what do you do for a living?”

The inevitable question asked at any social gathering. Though typically an innocuous question, I find myself dreading it. This is probably due to the flash of fear I often see upon the word, “Psychotherapist.” Sometimes, people are even bold enough to ask, “So are you analyzing me right now?” Unfortunately, this is reflective of one of the many myths that continue to persist around this profession. So I’ve taken on the task of blasting some of those myths and hoping to provide a clearer understanding of what this therapy business is all about. (more…)

It’s easy to find a counselor, but perhaps more difficult to know if you’ve found one who’s right for you. There are a number of questions you can ask which will help you to choose a counselor.  This short article outlines 14 of these questions, in no particular order (Please note, the words “therapist” and “counselor” are used interchangeably). Thanks to the GoodTherapy.org members who contributed their ideas to this article!  If there are other important questions to ask or things you’d like to add to this list, please post a comment below.

1. What does it feel like for you to sit with the therapist? Do you feel safe and comfortable? Is it easy to make small talk? Is the person down to earth and easy to relate to, or does he feel cold and emotional removed? Is the counselor “stuck in her head,” or overly emotional and empathic? Is the therapist a “know it all” or arrogant? Sure, for many of us going to a therapist for the first time is a bit anxiety provoking, and it’s important to tease out our own “stuff” from the actual counselor. But, if a counselor doesn’t feel like a good fit for you, that’s ok, there’s absolutely no contract or rule requiring you to continue working with any counselor. However, it’s important to check if there’s a part of you avoiding therapy by disliking or judging the therapist. If you find yourself reacting negatively to every counselor you see, then the issue could be yours and may warrant you sticking it out with a counselor in an effort to work through your fears of beginning therapy.

2. What’s the counselor’s general philosophy and approach to helping? Does your counselor approach human beings in a compassionate and optimistic way? Does she believe humans are born loving and loveable, or does she believe people are genetically deficient? We at GoodTherpy.org are biased and believe that good therapists and counselor’s adhere to the Elements of Good Therapy.

3. Can the counselor clearly define how they can help you to solve whatever issue or concern has brought you to therapy? An experienced counselor explains how she can help, is able to give you a basic “road map,” to her approach and can even give an indication of how you will know when therapy is finished.

4. Does the counselor seek regular peer consultation? An important professional activity for any wise counselor is regular consultation with peers or consultants. Consultation serves a number of purposes, such as, but not limited to, reviewing cases, receiving advice, getting unstuck, discovering one’s own blind spots, and noticing how one’s own “stuff” may be getting in the way. Consultation provides a counselor with a necessary reality check, a degree of objectivity, and feedback. Even the best therapists benefit from the help of others.

5. Can your counselor accept feedback and admit mistakes? A healthy counselor is open to feedback and to learning that something he said hurt or offended you. Good therapists are willing to look at themselves, to check their feelings, and to honestly and openly admit mistakes.

6. Does the counselor encourage dependence or independence? Good therapy doesn’t solve your problems; it helps you to solve your own. Likewise, good therapy doesn’t soothe your overwhelming feelings; it helps you to soothe your own. Like the old proverb, therapy is most powerful when it helps people to learn to fish for themselves rather than rely on another to feed them.  If your counselor provides wisdom, answers, or emotional support without encouraging you to access your own resources, it is more likely you will become dependent on your therapist to help you feel better, rather than on yourself.

7. Has your counselor done his own therapy? One of the best ways to learn how to help someone to heal is to do your own therapy and to experience the healing process first hand. Thus, therapists who have been in their own therapy benefit from this as a learning experience and are probably better equipped to help because of it. Most good healers are wounded healers, those who in the process of healing their own wounds developed the know how to help others to heal theirs.

8. Does the therapist have experience helping others with the particular issues you are seeking therapy for? The more experience one has addressing a particular issue, concern, or problem area, the more expertise one has developed.

9. Does the counselor make guarantees or promises? It’s important for a therapist to provide hope, but not absolute unconditional guarantees. If you have the will to change and put in the necessary time and energy, healing is possible.  Most of our wounds and defenses are the result of what has happened to us and to those around us.  Healing can happen quickly in psychotherapy - but only after getting safely through the layers of protective gate keepers, which understandably can take a long time.  So, although everyone is capable of healing, changes can take years to happen for some people and, unfortunately because time is limited, some may never achieve the level of healing they desire in this lifetime.  Additionally, people are not always at a time and place in their growth in which they are ready to heal and you and I may not be the right therapist.  Overall, there are numerous factors at play in the therapy process which may contribute to or interfere with healing, some we are conscious of, others we are not.  And so, there are no guarantees without conditions.  Here is more info on how “Sometimes We Can’t Help.”

10. Does your counselor adhere to ethical principles such as boundaries, dual relationships, and confidentiality? There are numerous ethical guidelines designed to keep counselors from harming clients. Most important, there is a guideline against dual relationships. When a therapist enters into a therapeutic relationship with you, he or she should not have any other relationship with you, such as teacher, friend, employer, or family member; though there are some exceptions to this rule in village or very rural communities. The principal behind this guideline is really about who’s needs are getting met. A therapist should be there to meet your counseling related needs for empathy, understanding, support, guidance, unburdening, and healing. When a counselor gets his or her own needs met (emotional or otherwise) by the client, he has crossed a boundary and the therapy process can be damaged or ruined. This is one of many ethical guidelines and it’s important for a counselor to adhere to these.  For more information on Ethical Standards you can visit these links:

AAMFT Code of Ethics

APA Code of Ethics

ACA Code of Ethics

NASW Code of Ethics

11. Is the counselor licensed? Licensure ensures that a counselor has engaged in extensive post graduate counseling experience which, depending on the state of licensure, may include up to 3000 hours of required supervised experience. It also means the counselor has passed a licensing exam. There are many unlicensed therapists who have years of experience and do excellent work, but licensed counselors have, in general, though not always, jumped through more hoops and have undergone more extensive supervision than unlicensed counselors.

12. Does the counselor have a graduate degree? There are numerous people who call themselves “counselors” or “therapists” because they have taken a weekend seminar or have learned a certain therapeutic approach. But without a graduate degree in counseling, psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, or another related field of study, such a person lacks the education, training, and skills to provide safe psychotherapy & counseling. It is highly recommended to only work with counselors and therapists who have graduate training. People without graduate level education in a mental health may lack the necessary skills and know-how to properly diagnose and treat issues; and there is a great danger in misdiagnosing and mistreating. Psychology is an enormous field and human beings are multifaceted and complex. It takes years of education and training to effectively help people. Without the proper training there is enormous risk of causing harm.

13. Does the counselor have post-graduate training? Many new counselors fresh out of graduate school have had excellent book learning but lack enough actual counseling experience to claim expertise and feel totally confident. Post graduate training in a particular approach to psychotherapy is often the next step in a new counselor’s career and is helpful in getting a new counselor to the next level in which they have more confidence and know-how.

14. Have any complaints been filed with the board? If so, what are the complaints and have they been satisfactorily resolved? To see if a counselor has a record or is under investigation, you can check with your state licensing board, usually under the state dept of health or occupational licensing.

Dear Members, I received a blog post this morning from a caring professional who’s concerned about some of the therapies in our List of Models. This is a topic I’ve addressed in an earlier post called Good Model of Therapy?… Not for us to decide… , but as a result of this post I feel the need to address this again. It is an important topic. First, here is what she writes:

“Healing and powerful? Your website is full of therapies that have been engaging in aggressive marketing campaigns making unsupported claims for years with no evidence to support those claims and some such as CISD have been shown to do more harm than good in a number of reviews of the evidence. The kinds of therapies you promote here are many of the ones I warn people about so I will be warning buyers to beware about your website.

Even though you truthfully state on your list of therapies that not all have empirical support, you also make claims that they are “healing and powerful” and your listing of them on a site entitled goodtherapy.com is aiding and abetting promoters who are making false claims. You do consumers a grave disservice. Now I’ll wait and see if you’ll post this comment on your website but I won’t be holding my breath.”

We’ll I’m happy that you didn’t hold your breath. :) I’m pleased to have the integrity and confidence in the mission of GoodTherapy.org to share your statement and address it publicly. I have a number of points to make:

1. First and foremost, we state clearly here that, “GoodTherapy.org is not in a position to endorse or disapprove any therapy models.”

2. I agree with you that it is irresponsible of us to describe all the therapies in our list as “healing and powerful.” Doing so contradicts our claim that we are nor in a position to endorse these models. I searched our site to find where “healing and powerful” was written and found it on a support page and promptly removed it. This piece of text was unfortunately a left over from an earlier time when GoodTherapy.org had taken up the grandiose task of attempting to completely evaluate and research models before putting them on our list. Our list was much shorter then. Our task is much different now. Thanks for pointing this out to us.

3. If you believe a particular therapy model is harmful, by all means name names. In your post you’ve named CISD and I’m willing to consider the evidence from all sides. If you have others that you believe are harmful, please open a dialogue with me about it. There are numerous opportunities on this blog in which you could share your concerns. You can also contact me individually. I will take your concerns seriously. As I state on our models page “we do reserve the right to exclude models which clearly conflict with the elements of good therapy” But, let’s not throw out the baby with the bathwater.

4. There are numerous models in our list that I do not practice, have no interest in practicing, and some I am even skeptical of. But we leave the evaluation of therapy models up to people to decide for themselves. Most therapy approaches have some controversy. Even traditional models, such as psychoanalysis, have both followers who are highly in favor (and even tout the miracles of this approach) and naysayers who see the approach as arrogant, condescending, and abusive. I know your concern is really about the possibility of unaware consumers being harmed by dangerous therapy models and I salute you for your compassion. As a therapist and one who has spent many years doing his own work, I know the dangers of bad therapy first hand - it’s why we created this site. I believe knowledge is power and I trust people, generally, to see for themselves, to research, to ask around, to check a therapy model out. This is why we provide links to more information on each therapy model. And this is why we remove some models: because knowledge from a caring person, like you helps us to make an informed decision.

5. We require all consumers who view our List of Models to first view the Terms and Conditions for viewing the Models of Therapy List which clearly warns consumers of the danger of therapy and therapists.

6. We state the following on our Models of Therapy page:

The following is a list of therapies which can, if used accordingly, adhere to the spirit, philosophy, and principles of what we at GoodTherapy.org believe to be “good therapy.” Some have been around for many years, others are relatively new. Some have been grounded in research, others in theory, and some rely on anecdotal evidence. Some are popularly accepted, others are cutting edge, and some controversial. GoodTherapy.org is not in a position to endorse or disapprove any therapy models. Our intention is to promote the use and awareness of the universal elements of good therapy which can be found across therapies. However, we do reserve the right to exclude models which clearly conflict with the elements of good therapy. We encourage you to explore, research, and discover for yourself which therapies may be a fit for you. We’ve included links to other sites with information on these models so you can have any easy starting point. We wish you the best on your journey :)

For those searching for help, please know that even a healthy model of therapy can be used in an unhealthy way. The therapist you choose is a very important factor in whether a therapy intended to work collaboratively and to empower actually does so. Also, the following list is a work in progress; there are therapies not yet listed here. As we become familiar with other approaches we will add them to this list. Click here to suggest a model of therapy that is not on our list.

7. We are in the process of creating a forum where professionals can debate the pros and cons of therapy models. When the forum goes live I hope you will share your concerns with us, if not before.

I look forward to responses from others, any thoughts, feelings, concerns?

Noah :)

Hi Folks, 

In an effort to create a document that will help consumers to be informed about how to know the differences between unhealthy and healthy therapy.  I’m asking for your wisdom.  Here are some of my questions that I’d love to have your input on:

What are the warning signs of unhealthy therapy?

How do you recommend choosing a therapist?

What should you expect from a healthy and effective therapist?

In answering these try to be unspecific about the model of therapy, these should be universals that hold trut regardless of which kind of therapy one is doing.

Thanks for your help,

Noah :)