Patient's Responsibility

​ As the patient, you are responsible to pay your bill and show up for scheduled appointments. That is it! The therapy session is about you, and only you: your thoughts, fears, confusions, feelings, wants, hopes, and goals. You do not need to worry about the therapist’s feelings, or how you are affecting her. If she/he does something that makes you uncomfortable, say something! The therapist must keep the space safe for you … speak up, no matter how silly it may seem, or insignificant … speak!

​You are the Expert on You
​     There are things the patient can do to make therapy more productive. As much as possible speak to what is happening in the moment for you, even if it is just to say you don’t know what to say. Listen actively to what the therapist is saying, and respond with your true reaction and thoughts. Do not assume the therapist knows more about you than you do! You are the expert, so again, speak up! The therapist cannot read your mind. Only through your continued effort of explaining yourself can true communication and growth happen.

Feelings are never wrong.
​     You very likely will start to feel a deep connection and fondness for your therapist. You may even begin to love her/him. That is normal and nothing to feel ashamed about. You can express these feelings to your therapist, or not, as you feel comfortable. Your therapist may not express what their feelings are about you! That is not to say they can’t say kind, positive things to you about how they perceive you. That is about you, not about them. Their feelings about you must not enter into this relationship. 
          
Touch is too Complicated in Therapy
​     Touch interrupts the very important work of talk therapy. Touch takes the relationship to a level that is not healthy. Touch, because it is non-verbal, can lead to misunderstanding and confusion. The therapist is not a permanent person in your life. If there is a physical connection, it makes the eventual forever parting much harder. Also, once given, the withholding of touch is felt as rejection. Touch within therapy is too complicated and dangerous. 
         
Seek Help
​      If you feel there is something happening in therapy that is not right, seek help. There are wonderful online support groups that off support to anyone feeling uncomfortable or unsafe in therapy. Reach out, advocate for yourself. Remember: therapy is about you, you are the expert on you, the therapist’s feelings are not to be considered within this relationship, never ignore something that makes you feel uncomfortable.
​       (An excellent support recourse is TELL: The Therapy Exploitation Link Line.-   therapyabuse.org )
          
Respect for Good, Ethical Boundaries
​     With a good, ethical  mental health therapist, you can find help and healing for the hurt and pain that sometimes falls on each of us. Therapy is a tool for you to use. The therapist is there for you, you are not there for the therapist. If these are the boundaries that are respected, therapy can be a great blessing and lead to self-discovery and healing.

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