How To Spot A Bad Therapist: 6 Major Signs

One reason that you aren’t benefitting from your therapy sessions could be a bad therapist. Every profession can have its share of poor performers, and therapy is no different.

If you are seeking the help of a mental health specialist and seeing no benefit in dealing with your issues, then it might be time to re-evaluate your psychiatrist or counsellor. Here is a list of few things that can help you spot a poor therapist or a pshychiatrist:

1- Your therapist does not listen to your concerns:

If something about your therapist’s behaviour is bothering you, you should candidly tell your therapist about your concerns. If, however, your counsellor is not open to discussion or demeans your concerns, then he might not be the best professional for you out there.

A good therapist is open to discussion and to feedback; because only through feedback can there be an improvement. Sometimes, what in reality is people’s issue, is attributed to the therapist instead; in these scenarios also, talking to the therapist can help eradicate these ‘blind spots’.

2- Lack of training:

Your therapist might not be a bad therapist per se, but if he is underqualified to deal with your case then he should refer you to a learned colleague. Failure to do so is a sign of a bad therapist. The attunement between a therapist and patient is key for treatment. Thus finding the right professional who is also equipped to deal with your issues is crucial.

3- You don’t look forward to your sessions:

One sign of successful therapy is that you look forward to and feel motivated about the next session. Successful therapy is empowering and invigorating, with growth experiences—intermixed with some difficult unburdening. However, if you are dreading your therapy sessions, week after week, then it is highly unlikely that they are working for you.

4- Your therapist is judgmental:

A good therapist makes no baseless judgment or critique of lifestyle or behaviour. If you find that your therapist is judging your opinions and lifestyle choices, then a trustworthy therapist-patient bond will not form and you will find it difficult to open up to them.

5- The therapist does not respect your confidentiality:

The therapist-patient relation is a confidential one. If he or she discloses your personal details or details about your therapy with others, without authorization then they are violating their profession’s principals.

6- You don’t feel challenged by your therapist:

A good therapist challenges their patients and inspires them to make better choices. Bad therapists, on the other hand, will prefer to be passive listeners without encouraging their patients to challenge themselves.

It is important to take your time in finding the right therapist and getting a referral from a reliable source before committing to one. Once you have found the perfect therapist, you would find yourself coping better with your issues and opening up with trust.

You can book an appointment with top psychiatrist in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi through oladoc.com, or call our helpline at 042-3890-0939 for assistance to find the RIGHT professional for your concerns.