Post by MainerMikeBrown on Dec 31, 2011 23:11:15 GMT -5
Over the years I've seen many therapists, as I've struggled with Bi-polar disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. And over those years I've read and heard from experts who recommend to people with mental illness to seek "An experienced therapist" to help cope with their issues.
However, I feel that many people, including the experts, put too much importance on the idea that the therapist should be experienced. For those seeking help who want their counselor to experienced-you have that right. But for me, I've actually had more luck with therapists who have only been working as a shrink for a few years. Meanwhile, I've only come across one or two therapists who I felt were good and also had been at it for fifteen or twenty years.
To say that a person who's a therapist is good or not-so-good at their profession is a matter of opinion. So I'm not telling anyone what to look for in a counselor. But I am pointing out that experience isn't necessarily better.
However, I feel that many people, including the experts, put too much importance on the idea that the therapist should be experienced. For those seeking help who want their counselor to experienced-you have that right. But for me, I've actually had more luck with therapists who have only been working as a shrink for a few years. Meanwhile, I've only come across one or two therapists who I felt were good and also had been at it for fifteen or twenty years.
To say that a person who's a therapist is good or not-so-good at their profession is a matter of opinion. So I'm not telling anyone what to look for in a counselor. But I am pointing out that experience isn't necessarily better.