| Psychotherapy is effective to the extent that the | | | | psychological services, but are gun-shy because of a |
| therapist brings unbiased, undivided attention to the | | | | former bad experience in therapy, read on. The |
| interaction. However, domestic violence survivors | | | | following points will help you pick a therapist that |
| frequently report having experienced therapy that | | | | inspires therapeutic process. |
| was "loaded" with bias, judgments and | | | | Elements of Effective Psychotherapy |
| preconceptions. | | | | 1) Therapy is not about blame; it's about discovery, |
| I've even heard patients talk about how the therapist | | | | ownership and responsibility. |
| arrived at a diagnosis talking to the person individually | | | | 2) Therapy is not about judgment; it's about being as |
| on only one occasion. Or, the therapist made | | | | is...acceptance of what is. |
| recommendations for couple's "homework" from the | | | | 3) Therapy is not about external expectations; it's |
| assumption that the marital conflict was something | | | | about process that evolves from within. |
| that could be "fixed" by the abused. | | | | Your interaction will be therapeutic to the extent that |
| It's no wonder that domestic violence survivors have | | | | you are looking at yourself without the bias, precepts |
| a bad taste in their mouth (or shall we say in their | | | | and expectations of the therapist. That is, the |
| memories) about therapy. Many have had their fair | | | | therapy must be about you, not about your |
| share of inadequate service and in many cases | | | | therapist. |
| interventions that pose greater risk to their | | | | Bottom line: Don't run from therapy, when you need |
| well-being. | | | | it most. |
| If you are a domestic violence survivor in need of | | | | |