A Discussion on How Mental Health Professionals Could be More Empathetic

[Brant]

Hey Everyone

Before I start, I would like to address I am not name and shame. By sharing my story, I wish to start a conversation on how mental health professionals could be more empathetic. Everyone is welcome to share their similar experiences. PLEASE still be respectful and DO NOT mention any information that could lead someone to be identified here.

It starts with my relapse into depression in September. As a result, I missed some university work, so I was advised by my course coordinator to apply for special consideration. I have my psychologist, who was an excellent counselor at the clinic of my university and has been nothing but empathetic towards my situation. However, she was fully booked until mid-December. So, I decided to book for a quick triage session at the same clinic, to seek some general advice and counseling instead of sitting idly home. It has never been my intention to have to obtain a support letter through a new psychologist who only happens to work for triage that day. However, once I finished telling him what happened to me, it seemed that he immediately assumed that I was only there to 'force' him to give me a medical certificate. Under that assumption, he just behaved in such a way as if every question from me was an argument directed against him for not giving me the document. In the end, he only said something along the line of "I am sorry, but I have to be that guy. " Although I looked calm, my anxieties have been through the roof for a while now, and I have no one but mental health professionals to share my feeling with cause I live alone in a city far from my hometown. Throughout the session, he never even asked once, "how are you feeling now?". In the end, I wasn't even assisted by him to be booked in with my psychologist, which is precisely the purpose of the triage service.

I understand time could be tight in a short session. Still, I would feel much better if he had taken 2 seconds to ask me about my feeling instead of giving me an apology that I never asked for. I wish more mental health professionals to be more aware that your assumptions on clients significantly impact how you interact with them. Your personal frustration would easily drive your clients away. In my case, I would definitely avoid this particular psychologist in the future.

[blondguy]

Hello Jules292 and thankyou Brandt...the OP!

I understand what you have gone through with your therapist. Tim has provided noteworthy support in his post above on this. Even my psychiatrist can be a bit 'cold' sometimes as they usually deal with the medication side not our thoughts as psychologist does

Can I ask how many sessions you have had with her?

Thankyou for being a part of the Beyond Blue family!

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Jules292]

Hi Paul

I have been seeing her for about 2 years maybe 3? I know that they normally cover medications but she has always provided more than that with me. It may have been a tactic to treat me with some ‘tough love’?

My super sensitivity has probably been wounded and I think maybe I should just suck it up!!

Or maybe she is getting sick of me? I hope not because up till now we’ve had a good relationship.

I know these are all hypotheticals but it’s hard to sit with all these questions I have. I do see my psychologist on Tuesday, thank goodness, because I can run through it with her as well!!

thanks again for taking time to answer my queries

jules292

[blondguy]

Hi Jules292

I have always been over sensitive myself and as a result the awful anxiety occured when I was 23 in 1983...

You mentioned 'tough love' or maybe it was 'tough therapy'...even though they are the same. After having awful anxiety attacks for 13 years...my anxiety only increased until my female psychiatrist really told me off and said..

* "If I dont start regular appointments with a psychologist or a GP immediately I will...

* "lose my house....my career....my sleep will become worse....and my personal relationships will falter"

I cried so much afterwards as I felt offended by their attitude....until I realised that they were only trying to help me help myself. Thus my over sensitised thinking was at fault....not my psychiatrist.....oops

I wasted 13 years of my life by not committing to ongoing frequent therapy and refusing low level AD's

Just a friendly note Jules....this only relates to my own symptoms as everyone represents differently 🙂

I really do hope some of this is somewhat helpful as its why I am a volunteer on Beyond Blue

Your therapist is not sick of you in any shape or form Jules...You are doing well not to mention being so proactive with your health

any questions are always welcome....the forums are a safe and non judgemental place for you to post

my kindest

Paul

[Jules292]

Thanks for that, and yes that’s what I meant ‘tough therapy’! this has been very helpful, I’m not totally sure how to move forward yet but I’m feeling better.

I just have this urge to try and fix things with her, but I know I need to keep some distance and hopefully I can improve my mood and keep on track, because yes same, I think if I don’t that the important structures I have worked so hard for will all crumble ie: family, work (career), friends etc.

thanks again

jules