4 answers
George
Student
Asheville, North Carolina
4
Questions
Asked
575 views
what are five main things that therapists do to help there patients.?
the kind of therapist i´m talking about is the kind who will talk to others about there problems and give them advice, im wondering what they do other then that
Login to comment
4 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, George !
Well, five main things ? It's a lot more than that and it depends on the clients and situations.
Therapists, at least in the region I live in, do not give advice, their main purpose is to provide therapeutic services for people that have a mental illness. Instead of advice that a counselor or case manager can provide, a therapist such as a Social Worker or Mental Health professional is not an advisor. If a Social Worker or a Mental Health professional did not go through clinical training and supervision, they would not be the type of therapist that can diagnose a patient. Usually a patient is diagnosed by a Psychologist or Psychiatrist before they start seeing a therapist so they come to the therapist already diagnosed. May not always be the case, but as a former Case Manager, that is usually what I always saw.
Instead of providing advice, clinical therapists will provide information and explain to the patient the benefits and consequences of the choices so the patient can be well informed. Many times, if it is a matter of needing housing, benefits, medical or health needs, a therapist can call upon a community based service to serve the patient for various needs. Referring patients out to various services is a big help when it comes to legal, social, employment and other types of needs the patient may have.
The therapist discusses the patients' concerns and knows interviewing and therapy techniques to inspire, not necessarily help, the patient. They are there to help the patient see it for themselves and become more self-directed and independent. They will validate and question the patient to bring about self-awareness in the patient. The service they provide is therapeutic and not informational or opinion.
Each patient is different, so actually, one cannot say exactly what other things beside talk therapy therapists do. It's going to depend on the patient, the clinic, the management of the clinic and the things an individual therapist brings to their work. The ones that I've known through working as a social service case manager were strictly clinical and referred out for any additional services that the patient would need. It may be different than that in various regions or at various providers' offices. A good way to find out about your area would be to go to some websites of local service providers and see exactly what services they offer at mental health clinics. The main purpose for being a therapist is to provide therapy, however.
In addition, therapists screen, evaluate and develop care plans for their patients, sort of like set goals for the client to achieve.
Therapists, depending on the setting they work in, present at meetings with their fellow staff and manager and report on the work they've done with the patient and the patient's progress.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Well, five main things ? It's a lot more than that and it depends on the clients and situations.
Therapists, at least in the region I live in, do not give advice, their main purpose is to provide therapeutic services for people that have a mental illness. Instead of advice that a counselor or case manager can provide, a therapist such as a Social Worker or Mental Health professional is not an advisor. If a Social Worker or a Mental Health professional did not go through clinical training and supervision, they would not be the type of therapist that can diagnose a patient. Usually a patient is diagnosed by a Psychologist or Psychiatrist before they start seeing a therapist so they come to the therapist already diagnosed. May not always be the case, but as a former Case Manager, that is usually what I always saw.
Instead of providing advice, clinical therapists will provide information and explain to the patient the benefits and consequences of the choices so the patient can be well informed. Many times, if it is a matter of needing housing, benefits, medical or health needs, a therapist can call upon a community based service to serve the patient for various needs. Referring patients out to various services is a big help when it comes to legal, social, employment and other types of needs the patient may have.
The therapist discusses the patients' concerns and knows interviewing and therapy techniques to inspire, not necessarily help, the patient. They are there to help the patient see it for themselves and become more self-directed and independent. They will validate and question the patient to bring about self-awareness in the patient. The service they provide is therapeutic and not informational or opinion.
Each patient is different, so actually, one cannot say exactly what other things beside talk therapy therapists do. It's going to depend on the patient, the clinic, the management of the clinic and the things an individual therapist brings to their work. The ones that I've known through working as a social service case manager were strictly clinical and referred out for any additional services that the patient would need. It may be different than that in various regions or at various providers' offices. A good way to find out about your area would be to go to some websites of local service providers and see exactly what services they offer at mental health clinics. The main purpose for being a therapist is to provide therapy, however.
In addition, therapists screen, evaluate and develop care plans for their patients, sort of like set goals for the client to achieve.
Therapists, depending on the setting they work in, present at meetings with their fellow staff and manager and report on the work they've done with the patient and the patient's progress.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Loved reading this, thanks!
Goodera Careervillage
63
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Goodera’s Answer
George -
Shay explained it perfectly. They are there for all those things and more. You can talk to them about anything, and it's all confidential. They listen without judging and truly care about helping you. Having someone like that in your life can be incredibly helpful.
Shay explained it perfectly. They are there for all those things and more. You can talk to them about anything, and it's all confidential. They listen without judging and truly care about helping you. Having someone like that in your life can be incredibly helpful.
Sarah Sooter
LMSW, LSOTP Therapist
7
Answers
Lubbock, Texas
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
I think narrowing it down to 5 main things is tough, but I’ll give it a shot.
1. A good therapist is honest. they explain the limits of confidentiality. They don’t dance around the issues - your therapist may be the one person in your life who will give you objective feedback.
2. A good therapist is knowledgeable. It is vital that a therapist maintain their continuing education and beyond. New research provides insight and improved approaches. The more we learn as providers, the more effective we have the potential to be.
3. A good therapist has boundaries. Sessions should focus on the client. The client does not need to know about drama and responsibilities in a therapists life. At the same time, a client deserves to know a little about their provider to feel like the conversation is from one human to another. I focus on sharing about my pets, my education, silly stories, and interests like rock collecting or crochet, for example.
4. A good therapist does NOT give advice or Opinion. They do focus on facts, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. A therapist will ask questions that help a client to consider pros and cons, benefits and consequences, and the rights of self and others. A therapist is trained to ask questions that help a client come to their own understanding and decisions.
5. A good therapist knows the client is the expert in the room. The client knows their experiences, thoughts, feelings, desires, and issues better than anyone, including the therapist. As a therapist, the job is not to make a client fit a mold, it is to help a client appreciate their own shape. We encourage clients to build skills to cope with or change what they are not happy with.
Being a therapist is so much more than this, but these are my top 5, I think.
1. A good therapist is honest. they explain the limits of confidentiality. They don’t dance around the issues - your therapist may be the one person in your life who will give you objective feedback.
2. A good therapist is knowledgeable. It is vital that a therapist maintain their continuing education and beyond. New research provides insight and improved approaches. The more we learn as providers, the more effective we have the potential to be.
3. A good therapist has boundaries. Sessions should focus on the client. The client does not need to know about drama and responsibilities in a therapists life. At the same time, a client deserves to know a little about their provider to feel like the conversation is from one human to another. I focus on sharing about my pets, my education, silly stories, and interests like rock collecting or crochet, for example.
4. A good therapist does NOT give advice or Opinion. They do focus on facts, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. A therapist will ask questions that help a client to consider pros and cons, benefits and consequences, and the rights of self and others. A therapist is trained to ask questions that help a client come to their own understanding and decisions.
5. A good therapist knows the client is the expert in the room. The client knows their experiences, thoughts, feelings, desires, and issues better than anyone, including the therapist. As a therapist, the job is not to make a client fit a mold, it is to help a client appreciate their own shape. We encourage clients to build skills to cope with or change what they are not happy with.
Being a therapist is so much more than this, but these are my top 5, I think.
Shay Marshall, MS
Senior Juvenile Probation Officer
18
Answers
Navarre, Florida
Updated
Shay’s Answer
George,
Therapists are there to support you through life's challenges. They offer helpful tips and techniques to manage stress and work through tough times. In each session, they help you find what works best for you. If needed, they can also connect you with other experts to explore options like medication or address any health issues affecting your mental well-being. Additionally, they can evaluate and diagnose mental health disorders or lack thereof.
Therapists are there to support you through life's challenges. They offer helpful tips and techniques to manage stress and work through tough times. In each session, they help you find what works best for you. If needed, they can also connect you with other experts to explore options like medication or address any health issues affecting your mental well-being. Additionally, they can evaluate and diagnose mental health disorders or lack thereof.