Quote:
Originally Posted by atisketatasket
The topic has come up in another thread, and deserves its own thread.
Who do you think holds the power in the therapist-client relationship?
I am talking here about the traditional therapist-client relationship: not inpatient, but people who have regular sessions, etc.
I am not talking about:
-inpatient mental health services
-psychiatrist relationships, given the power of an MD to prescribe medications and hospitalize
-situations in which a therapist might be testifying in court in relation to the client's affairs, e.g., a custody case
So in a "normal" therapist-client relationship, who holds the power?
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How is the word power being used, here? Power as who is the person in charge of the therapy process? Who has the most influence in the relationship? Who, in the relationship, dictates the issues addressed? Perhaps I'm able to view this poll question only in terms of my own therapy and, if so, I don't think 'power' is part of our process. I sought out my T, my insurance pays my T (and I pay the insurance premiums and copays), and my T offers his/her professional assistance and competence to help me understand the issues that brought me to therapy and make suggestions to change or correct problems that would make a difference in my life.
I'll be interested to read what others think about this poll...I'm sometimes a bit short-sighted.