Is a therapist a paid friend?

One of the least recognized and the most taboo topics in the prac- tice of psychotherapy (and the training and supervising of psycho- therapists to practice psychotherapy) is that of the therapist as a paid friend. The concept of paying someone to be a friend seems as loath- some to some as is that of paying for sex.

What’s the difference between a therapist and a friend?

A good therapist will keep the relationship professional rather than becoming attached in a way that could negatively affect the quality of treatment. Friends are supposed to listen and provide emotional support, but you might feel guilty if you vent to them for an hour or more every week.

What happens if you become friends with your therapist?

By becoming friends with a client, a therapist can risk disciplinary action from governing bodies or losing licensure. This usually only happens if the friendship goes sour and the client reports the therapist out of spite. Because we are mature and professional, the friendship doesn’t affect our working relationship.

Is a therapist just someone to talk to?

Talking to a Therapist This is different than talking to your friends, who may be frequently interrupted and are likely to want to do their share of talking about their own issues or problems. Therapy isn’t just for people who are in the middle of a major life crisis.

Are therapists worth the money?

Is Therapy Worth It? We feel that therapy is absolutely worth the cost. While the price might seem high, consider the fact that you’re making an investment that could help you to solve the issues you’re dealing with and give you the tools you need to continue to make good choices in the future.

How is psychotherapy different from talking with friends and family?

A psychotherapist is trained to listen in a special way and to offer direct, honest feedback in a setting characterized by warmth and support. With a psychotherapist, you are less likely to hold back from sharing all of your thoughts and feelings.

Why do therapists stay silent?

Done supportively, silence can exert some positive pressure on the client to stop and reflect. Non-verbal signals of patience and empathy by the therapist can encourage the client to express thoughts and feelings that would otherwise be covered up by too much anxious talk. Sympathetic silence can signal empathy.

Can therapists be friends with their clients?

Client-therapist friendships can be unethical, according to codes of ethics from many bodies that govern therapists, including the American Psychological Association [APA]. By becoming friends with a client, a therapist can risk disciplinary action from governing bodies or losing licensure.

Is a psychotherapist a rent-a-friend?

He asked what I did for a living, and I told him I was a psychologist, to which he replied, “Oh! A rent-a-friend.” His premise was simple: Psychotherapists are friends for hire. If you had real friends, you wouldn’t needto pay a therapist.

Why are therapists not your friends?

Here’s why therapists are not your friends. And it’s not just because they are a tool to help you solve your problems. Most relationships are reciprocal. The give and take goes back and forth. In a therapy relationship, the need goes in one direction. You have needs and the therapist provides.

Do you need to pay a therapist?

If you had real friends, you wouldn’t needto pay a therapist. In the intervening half-hour conversation, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t convince this otherwise intelligent man that there was more to therapy.

Should you get free therapy from a friend?

Free therapy from a friend could cost you that friendship and more. With a therapist, you can take as much as you want (in terms of venting, advice, emotional support, etc.). You are paying for a service. If you talk to a friend in an effort to receive free therapy, your friendship might suffer.