10 signs to detect a bad psychologist or therapist

The psychological therapy It is useful to overcome many problems that arise throughout our lives.

But unfortunately, the bad practices of some professionals may be present in any therapeutic relationship in the health field (medicine, psychology, etc.). Despite the fact that, on occasions, it is the patient himself who is not predisposed to change and does not benefit fully from psychotherapy, it may happen that the psychologist or therapist do not perform your job properly, harming the mental health of the patient.

Recommended article: "10 reasons why psychological therapy may not work"

Viktor frankl, existential psychologist and author of the book “Man's Search for Meaning”, He coined the term“ Iatrogenic neurosis ”to refer to the negative effect generated (or worsened) by health workers, doctors, psychologists and therapists on the patient's health. And it is that, despite the fact that a significant percentage of patients who attend psychotherapy sessions improve, sometimes psychological therapy can be counterproductive (It can aggravate the problems that the person presents).

You can know more about the life and work of this psychologist in our article: "Viktor Frankl: biography of an existential psychologist"

Signs that betray a bad psychologist or therapist

But, What signs reveal the professional malpractice of some psychotherapists? What reasons can cause the patient not to improve due to the bad therapeutic and professional habits of some psychologists?

In the following lines we explain it to you.

1. You feel like you're being judged

You should never feel judged or criticized by the therapistWell, nobody in this life is perfect.

The professional of psychology should try to understand your situation, and even if he does not share it, he should not impose his opinion. The therapist-patient relationship is a professional relationship in which the psychologist must give you the necessary tools to improve your psychological well-being. A therapist who openly judges and criticizes his patients is not a good professional.

2. He is not an expert on your problem

The professional you visit may not be the psychologist you need. Within psychology there are different specializations, Y not all psychologists have the necessary skills to help you with any type of problem.

For example, a psychologist skilled in Personal development You do not have to have the knowledge or skills to deal with eating problems. In addition, the psychologist must understand that there are patients who function better with the cognitive behavioral therapy and others, for example, do it with the mindfulness therapy. In other words, not all therapies are the same for all people.

3. The therapist talks too much about himself

It is okay for the therapist, during the therapy session, to present examples of situations similar to those of your problem so that you can feel identified.

This can help you to understand the problem from another perspective and, in addition, it can favor the climate of trust or rapport. However, when the therapist talks too much about himself, it is nothing positive. Some therapists may be tempted to talk about their accomplishments, their dilemmas, their jobs, articles, families, etc. But it is even worse when they reveal personal aspects of daily life, such as sexual practices.

4. Therapist's communication is not correct

Study a career in psychology it can bring you knowledge about mental health and psychotherapy. But, in addition to this knowledge, it is necessary for therapists to master certain interpersonal skills Y communication skills.

One of the keys to the therapist-client relationship is that there is good communication and understanding between both actors, so that a good therapeutic alliance is created. If there are problems in this professional relationship, the expected benefits may not be produced. The problem may be the therapist's attitude or simply that there is no feeling Between both.

5. Cross the line

Although to many it may seem strange, some therapists may feel an emotional connection with clients that goes beyond the professional relationship.

If, for example, the psychologist feel physical attraction for your patient, you may no longer be objective when it comes to treating the client. If you notice unprofessional behavior, such as repetitive hugging or fondling towards you, the therapist may be crossing the line. In addition, to have a healthy therapeutic relationship, it is counterproductive for therapist-patient encounters to occur outside the office.

6. Not actively listening

Therapeutic sessions are spaces for interaction in which emotions can be on the surface.

Therefore, the therapist, in addition to giving guidelines for action, must actively listen (that is, it must be with the five senses) to the patient. Therapists who continually interrupt the sessions, cause the connection and the sense of confidence that has been created to be lost. But, in addition to interrupting, it is also not positive that he does not remember important information about your case.

Recommended article: "Active listening: the key to communicating with others"

7. Underestimate your problem

It may happen that the therapist underestimates the client's problem by misinterpreting the information received. This can cause you to choose a treatment that is not correct, worsening the patient's symptoms.

8. Talk about the lives of other patients

The information that the patient provides to the therapist is confidential information that he cannot share with other patients..

In the event that the psychologist shares with you private and confidential information of other clients, You should know that this professional is committing malpractice, and can be reported for it.

9. The therapist imposes his own value system

As explained in point one, the therapist should not question or criticize the patient.

But, in addition, if he imposes or promotes his scale of values ​​or beliefs, he is seriously damaging the therapeutic relationship. Therefore, even if the psychologist does not agree with the patient's political or religious ideas or beliefs, he should never question them.

10. Does not refer to other professionals when necessary

It may happen that the therapist detects that the relationship with the patient has come to an end for different reasons.

It is possible that the relationship between the two is not appropriate, that the patient needs the help of another professional expert in a certain subject or that it simply does not fit with his therapeutic model. In these cases, the therapist must refer the patient to another professional so that the latter can benefit from the help provided by another healthcare professional. If he doesn't, he is committing malpractice.