Actually Benefit from Therapy
This video devotes itself to discussing various aspects of the psychotherapeutic process--which is an art form, not a science. This is simultaneously psychotherapy's greatest strength, and no doubt it's biggest pitfall. Regarding pitfalls, this video covers many of the most common, from low expectations and skepticism that may preclude any benefit for the reluctant patient, to the pointless exercise of being dishonest with one's therapist (usually due to feelings of embarrassment or guilt, or narcissistic pride), to failing to establish goals and identify target symptoms.
I cover the major Do's and Don'ts of therapy and enumerate the qualities that make for the ideal candidate, as well as list the qualities one should seek in a good therapist (please also see my separate, soon-to-be-released video, "How to Pick a Good Therapist"). I briefly touch upon therapist qualifications and mention only a few of the very many treatment paradigms currently available, but the extremes of classical Freudian psychoanalysis serve as good comparison for more modern, amenable approaches.
Please check out the following CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction
1:16 The Ideal Candidate
1:38 Poor Candidates/Contraindications
3:13 Pick the Right Therapist
4:25 Qualities That Make the Ideal Therapist
4:48 "Life Coaching"?
8:07 Faith-based/Pastoral Counseling
9:27 Manage Your Expectations
10:53 You Can Ask
11:06 Determine the Right Frequency
12:24 Establish a Timeframe (Brief/Short-Term Therapy?)
14:57 Identify Target Symptoms
17:00 Set Goals
18:46 Seek to Understand Yourself
19:49 Be Honest (Don't Lie to Your Therapist!)
29:55 Transference
31:47 Be Honest with Yourself
33:23 Engage Your Therapist
34:49 Don't Sabotage Treatment
37:13 Know Your Rights
39:08 Protected Health Information
41:48 Contraindications