Quote:
Originally Posted by Amelia112
I like the cartoon but I do have to say something about this... I believe this has nothing to do with being an "ideal" client. Because let's face it.. if therapists thought that all the things on the list would beg the question if a client needs therapy, they would be out of work pretty quickly. I believe those things on the list are what makes a therapist feel they are doing a good job. If people pay on time it means they have a feeling of mutual responsibility. If they feel the client demonstrates a desire to change, then it means they have the skills to instill exactly that in a client. If a client turns up to sessions and doesn't cancel frequently, they know that the client is willing to work, is not "testing" them or their commitment etc. I believe every client "works hard" in their own individual strength.
The out of session issue.. I have a very strong feeling about that! But I think I will open a new thread with that one.. But briefly, in my opinion if a therapist thinks a good client is one who has as little out of session contact as possible, I think he has chosen the wrong profession.
Even though I find the comic funny, I also feel it's a little offending.. Because it makes me, the apparently "ideal" client question, what value I have as a client if I do what I think is right! How can someone assume that the healthy parts inside me, the ones that make me do all the things on the list are a sign that I don't need help?
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That is a thoughtful response.
I just wanted to say though, I think that if a therapist thinks of a client as ideal because of things which make the therapist think s/he is doing a good job, then s/he has a problem. Of course everyone needs to see results in their work, I'm just saying that if a therapist thought everything a client did says something about him as a therapist (even normal things such as paying on time or things which could be individual habits such as working hard), then I think that therapist will be missing important information about the client (and react badly to some clients' difficulties, taking them personally). Just saying. I have pretty strong feelings about this too.
About attending sessions and paying on time, I'd also like to point out that therapists also really just need the work and money, like any other professional. If a client didn't pay me on time for the services provided, I wouldn't mind it thinking that I'm doing a bad job, I'd mind it because I need the money I have earned by spending the time and working. Surely not doing these things says something about the therapeutic relationship, no doubt. But the therapeutic relationship is the responsibility of both therapist and client. I think taking too much responsibility is just as bad as not taking enough responsibility.