13 Surprising Things Your Therapist Won’t Tell You

Discover what therapists are really thinking while listening to you talk.

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Counseling session
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1. We don’t always mean it

Sometimes, when we say, “That’s interesting,” it’s really not. We say that when we get caught thinking about something else.

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Businessman walking in the street
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2. I don’t say hello for a reason

Don’t take it personally if you see me outside the office and I ignore you. If I’m with someone, introducing you as my patient would violate patient confidentiality.

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Trendy dinner party
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3. On the other hand…

Do we talk about you at cocktail parties? Absolutely. The stranger your story, the better.

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Taking antidepressant
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4. Not everything cures itself

Mental illness can damage the brain. You can’t just wait for it to go away. The longer you wait to get treatment, the worse it will get and the greater the chances that prescription drugs won’t work.

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Psychologist with patient
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5. We sometimes charge on a sliding scale

It never hurts to ask for a lower fee. Some of us will say yes.

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Woman speaking with her psychiatrist
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6. Not everything has a deeper meaning

Long-term therapy makes some patients much more self-absorbed. Some start to believe that every thought and dream they have is important.

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Man sleeping on public transportation
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7. Sexual fantasies about patients?

Unfortunately, it happens. When it does, it’s very distracting and troubling.

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Elderly male psychologist
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8. My help won’t always be direct

Sometimes I tell you to do the opposite of what I really want you to do. For instance, I might tell you that this week I want you to be really depressed, to think about all the reasons you are depressed each day. It works for two reasons: First, nobody likes to be told what to do. And it helps you realize that you have a choice in how you feel.

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Woman in counseling
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9. We’re not yes-men

Please don’t ask things like “Don’t you agree?” If you’re looking for approval, you’re not going to get it. A good counselor is not there to say yes to everything.

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Therapy session
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10. It’s all been done

No matter what you tell me, I’ve probably heard it before. You aren’t going to shock me.

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Depressed man listening to music
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11. Really, it’s not you

Unlike with cancer and heart disease, people with mental illness often think it’s their fault. So when they get better, they’re proud of themselves for conquering adversity when, really, it was just the Prozac.

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Therapist
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12. Get it straight!

Psychiatrists are doctors who go to medical school. Psychologists usually have a doctoral degree. Both of us can do therapy, but only psychiatrists can prescribe medication.

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Asian woman hugging friend
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13. Doing good may be the real solution to your problems

If you feel isolated and alone in the world, I probably can’t cure you in psychotherapy. That is the main issue for a lot of the patients I see. But the best thing you can do is go out in the world and help people.

Next, check out these 30 simple acts of kindness you can do in two minutes or less.

Info compiled by Reader’s Digest from psychologists and psychiatrists in California, Washington, Pennsylvania, and Texas, USA.

Reader's Digest
Originally Published in Reader's Digest

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