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The Expectations of Therapists: A Client’s Point of View
There are many aspects to undergoing psychotherapy that most people do not understand, and there are many misconceptions as to what to expect from this unusual and incredibly special relationship. In this unfamiliar association between two strangers, a special bond is formed as a therapist attempts to help their client overcome emotional difficulties using their training as their guide. The expectations of the client can, however, be a hindrance to this working relationship. In this article, I will attempt to address a few of these beliefs from the point of view of a client.
The Therapist is wise and all-knowing
Client’s often enter therapy with the idea that because a therapist is trained in helping people to navigate the maze of emotion that is inherent in most people who seek their help, they are a reservoir of information. They think their therapist can understand their problems without any explanation on their part. The expectation is that the therapist should know what the client is thinking. As a client, I had to learn that therapists are people with human flaws, emotions, and biases. My expecting my therapist to know what I was thinking and how to help me regardless of the complexities of my thought processes was unjustified and caused a great deal of distress for both she and I. It was…
