Category: <span>Therapy</span>

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Therapy September 23, 2021 By Joel Schmidt 0 Comments

How to Spot Questionable Therapy

I recently started listening to a new podcast called "Very Bad Therapy". I just started, but the hosts (clinical counselors), interview other therapists and people who have been in therapy about bad experiences with therapy, questionable approaches, and times when therapy has been downright harmful. It's about "what goes wrong in the counseling room and how it could go better, as told by the clients who survived."

It can be hard to take that step...to make that phone call...to vulnerably reach out and ask for help. It can also be scary. We read website bios and directory listings hoping that we will find a therapist that in their language and unique style sound like they will speak to us...and be able to really help. Unless we've received a highly trusted referral, we never know exactly what to expect. Like online dating profiles, therapists often put their best foot forward when writing or speaking about the work they do, but how can we ever really know that they're as competent as they sound - and truly able to provide the safe, nonjudgmental, and objective space that's so crucial in the therapeutic setting? How can we let them know they'll be a good fit for us and what it is we are looking for? Well, we often don't.

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Therapy Counseling • Therapy September 18, 2021 By Joel Schmidt 0 Comments

A Day in the Life of a Therapist (This Therapist)

Being a therapist sounds pretty easy, right? I hear that sometimes. How hard can it be to plop down in your chair, listen to someone talk for an hour, nod your head a few times, and maybe check in on how whatever it is they are talking about makes them feel every once in a while? Well, its really not quite that simple...unless you're just not a very involved or helpful therapist. Don't get me wrong. There's a lot to be said about the power of just being heard - in providing a nonjudgmental place for people to share their stories...their loss, their trauma, their suffering, their ups, and their downs....their wins and accomplishments... I won't discount that for a moment....but for a therapist who really wants to help, it's not as simple as just listening. It's about really actively listening. It's about trying to get a deep understanding of what's going on. It's about helping people untangle their thoughts and understand the complexity of themselves. It's about continuing to learn and to grow...It's about helping people "connect dots" with a deep level of curiosity and trying to figure out what it is that will help someone really heal...and that's hard work that takes about every ounce of energy and attention available. That, and outside of that sacred 50 minutes, there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes that many people who are not therapists aren't aware of. The time you reserve and pay for often extends far beyond the hour we spend together.

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Therapy About Therapy • Counseling • finding a counselor • finding a therapist • Therapy September 17, 2021 By Joel Schmidt 0 Comments

Finding a Therapist in Tampa – Considerations & what to Look for

If you're looking for a Counselor in Tampa - or anywhere for that matter - it can be hard to know where to start. It's an overwhelming task. Look up therapists near me in the Tampa Bay area on Psychology Today directory and you'll get close to ONE THOUSAND results. Because there's a lot of filtering to be done, it can be helpful to get clear on a few things and to know what you're looking for before you begin. Here are a few questions to ask yourself and to answer to help you get started.

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Therapy September 15, 2021 By Joel Schmidt 0 Comments

Different Types of Therapy Approaches for Different Issues

So when it comes to therapy, there are several different modalities (or approaches). Different therapists tend to gravitate to different styles and theories. Psychoanalytic therapy, for example, is an approach of therapy that focuses more on the subconscious mind and past experiences as a way of better understanding who we are and why we do what we do. Solution-Focused Therapy, on the other hand, focuses more on the present and future, what's working, what's not working, and goals designed to change thinking and behaviors. There are many other counseling theories/approaches that I won't get into here today - as I'll be more focused on types of therapy in a more general sense. If you're looking into working with a therapist, though, it's good to get an idea of the different theoretic orientations (See more about that here) and to understand the approach your potential therapist might take in order to find the best fit for you. It's not uncommon for therapists to alter their style or to switch between different methods depending on what you might need. Some therapists consider themselves "eclectic" in this sense - deriving ideas from a broad range of sources.

Therapy June 15, 2021 By Joel Schmidt 0 Comments

My Favorite Parts of Being a Therapist

Being a therapist is hard work. Not always, though. Sometimes someone I really "get" makes everything in the therapeutic process effortlessly align. I know exactly what the person in front of me needs to hear. I know exactly what it is that will help - and the person I'm working with just runs with it. Other times, not so much. I'm confronted with challenges, things I've never heard before, and struggle to find the right words. The fact of the matter is that we're all pretty complex beings - none of our histories or situations exactly like anybody else's. I dig deep into my therapy "tool box", consult with other professionals, scour resources, and create intricate individualized treatment plans...all with the goal of ultimately helping someone put together the intricate puzzle of their minds and lives. It's hard as hell at times...but man is it rewarding when everything finally comes together...when the collaborative work I'm doing with someone over weeks or months finally starts to pay off. As hard as it can be, there are so many things I absolutely love about this profession...and I can't imagine doing anything else in the world.