Ineffective Psychodynamic Therapy
In the SHM Forums, Dini responded to one member who had an unsatisfying experience with a psychodynamic therapist and asks if he can file a complaint. He said:
Hi Mangoman & welcome,
"Sessions" aren't filmed here in America either (well, unless I've been the star of some very boring film I don't know about……hehee).
I have also had one absolutely horrendous experience with someone who described themselves as a "psychodynamic" therapist though not with the "credentials" that yours had………..(See the thread below entitled "Anyone Ever Feel, In Part, Like a Casualty of Therapy?")..
Just some thoughts that come to mind: I know that feeling of having been (as my subsequent therapist put it "mind-@#$%&") by an incompetent or unethical or just plain evil therapist. Been there and got the T-Shirt. And I know the feeling anger and wanting to "strike back" – here there are licensing boards which take those complaints – you could find out about that in England.
Some bits of thoughts:
One, you are right; her word is more likely to be taken over yours unless she REALLY crossed some lines, and even then, given budgetary or personnel constraints the "board" may or may not do anything about it. However, if you really feel she was so bad that she was damaging to you, she may be damaging to others, and that to me, is a good reason to file a complaint, whatever the outcome. It may not be your complaint that gets the result YOU want, but the idea is to protect the public, and if yours becomes one of several or many, then they are far more likely to believe the clients. So, if someone is truly incompetent and a danger to public health and unsuspecting clients, it's worthwhile IMHO to file that complaint regardless of the initial outcome.
Second, I strongly feel that no matter how you may feel about the experience, being angry is NOT a good reason for a complaint. A genuine belief that the person should be looked at or supervised or perhaps lose their license because they are a danger to public health IS a good reason IMHO. So that takes some real soul searching, especially when you are angry.
The best thing in the world I did after that experience? I found a GREAT new therapist to work through it with, along with other stuff I work on. And a GREAT new group therapist to do the same with……………..I truly believe and it has been my experience that most therapists are at the least competent, and many of them, especially experienced ones, are very, very good. But you must make the effort to find them. (There are some great posts around here by Jimmy about finding a therapist – I followed his advice in finding new therapists and it worked very well for me.
You've touched a subject near and dear to my heart; some of the stuff this person did still effects my life. But my life goes on. Whatever you do, make sure yours does too OK? And the best thing I did for that personally was to not let the one bad apple spoil the whole tree for me; I climbed back up the tree and found some good apples………
Let us know what you think and how you are doing. How you are feeling.
Glad you are here Mango-man. Stick around. Would love to hear more from you!!
Spread the Word!
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