Role of the Therapist

• What is the Therapist's Role? by BOL Editor, 10/31/98
  
  

Lately I have developed a very personal view of MY role as a therapist. I believe that my main two roles are support and teacher. Many of the problems experienced by my clients stem from learned ways of dealing with problems that are maladaptive. These range from not knowing how to effectively deal with situations using good problem solving techniques to having been taught that tehy are inadequate human beings.

I have seen teaching problem solving skills and using behavioral reinforcement work very effectively with schizophrenic clients. Teaching problem solving skills along with Cognitive-Behavioral thought changing techniques has been effective for many of the clients I see with anxiety and mood disorders.

The important moderator I have found is the supportive humanistic role of the therapist. If you try to teach the client how to have a happier life and they don't trust you, or need to just talk or get things in the open, it has very negative effects on the outcome of therapy.

• Re: Role of the Therapist by Jo Ann Lee, Psy.D., 11/5/98