10 signs of a bad psychologist or therapist

How to identify a psychologist who doesn't know what he or she is doing? We explain it to you.

Psychological therapy is useful to overcome many problems that arise throughout our lives.

But, unfortunately the bad practices of some professionals can be present in any therapeutic relationship in the health field (medicine, psychology, etc.). (medicine, psychology, etc.). Although sometimes it is the patient himself who is not predisposed to change and does not benefit fully from psychotherapy, it can happen that the psychologist or therapist does not do his job properly, damaging the patient's mental health.

Recommended article: "10 reasons why psychological therapy may not work".

Viktor Franklexistential psychologist and author of the book "Man's Search for Meaning", coined the term "Iatrogenic neurosis" to refer to the negative effect generated (or worsened) by health agents, doctors, psychologists and therapists on the patient's health. Despite the fact that a significant percentage of patients who attend psychotherapy sessions get better, psychological therapy can sometimes have a negative effect on the patient's health, sometimes, psychological therapy can be counterproductive (it can aggravate the problems that the person presents).

You can learn more about the life and work of this psychologist in our article: "Viktor Frankl: biography of an existential psychologist".

Signs that give away a bad psychologist or tear therapist.

But, What are the signs of bad professional practice of some psychotherapists? What reasons can cause the patient not to improve due to the bad therapeutic and professional habits of some psychologists?

In the following lines we explain it to you.

1. You feel you are being judged

You should never feel judged or criticized by the therapist, because no one in this life is perfect.

The psychologist should try to understand your situation, and even if he/she does not share it, he/she should not impose his/her opinion.. The therapist-patient relationship is a professional relationship in which the psychologist should give you the necessary tools to improve your psychological well-being. A therapist who openly judges and criticizes his patients is not a good professional.

2. Is not an expert in your problem

The professional you visit may not be the psychologist you need. Within psychology there are different specializations, and not all psychologists have the necessary competencies to help you with any type of problem..

For example, a psychologist with expertise in personal development does not necessarily possess the knowledge or skills necessary to treat eating behavior problems. In addition, the psychologist must understand that some patients work better with cognitive-behavioral therapy and others, for example, do better with Mindfulness therapy. In other words, not all therapies are the same for everyone..

3. The therapist talks too much about him/herself

It is okay for the therapist, during the therapy session, to give examples of situations similar to your problem so that you can identify with yourself.

This can help you to understand the problem from another perspective and, in addition, it can favor a climate of trust or rapport. However, when the therapist talks too much about the problem, when the therapist talks too much about him/herself, it is not positive.. Some therapists may be tempted to talk about their achievements, their dilemmas, their jobs, articles, families, etc. But it is even worse when they reveal personal aspects of daily life, such as, for example, sexual practices.

4. The therapist's communication is not correct

Studying psychology can provide you with knowledge about mental health and psychotherapy. But, in addition to this knowledge, it is necessary for therapists to master certain interpersonal skills and communication skills.

One of the keys to the therapist-client relationship is that there is good communication and understanding between the two actors, so that a good rapport is created between the therapist and the client.The therapist-client relationship is one of the keys to a good therapeutic alliance. If there are problems in this professional relationship, it is possible that the expected benefits will not be produced. The problem may be the therapist's attitude or simply that there is a lack of feeling between the two.

5. Cross the line

Although it may seem strange to many, some therapists may feel an emotional connection with clients that goes beyond the professional relationship, some therapists may feel an emotional connection with clients that goes beyond the professional relationship..

If, for example, the psychologist feels physical attraction to his or her patient, he or she may no longer be objective when treating the client. If you notice unprofessional behaviors, such as repetitive hugging or touching toward you, the therapist may be crossing the line. Also, in order to have a healthy therapeutic relationship, it is counterproductive for therapist-patient encounters to occur outside the office.

6. Not actively listening

Therapeutic sessions are spaces of interaction in which emotions can run high.

Therefore, the therapist, in addition to giving guidelines for action, should actively listen (i.e., be with the patients). (i.e., he/she must be with all five senses) to the patient. Therapists who continually interrupt sessions cause you to lose the connection and the sense of confidence that has been created. But, in addition to interrupting, it is also not positive that the therapist does not remember important information about your case.

Recommended article: "Active listening: the key to communicate with others".

7. Underestimates your problem

The therapist may underestimate the client's problem by misinterpreting the information received.. This may cause him/her to choose a treatment that is not the correct one, worsening the patient's symptoms.

8. Talks about other patients' lives

The information that the patient provides to the therapist is confidential information that cannot be shared with other patients..

In the event that the psychologist shares with you private and confidential information of other clients, you should know that this professional is committing malpractice, and can be denounced for it.

9. The therapist imposes his or her own system of values

As explained in point one, the therapist should not question or criticize the patient..

But, in addition, if the therapist imposes or promotes his or her own scale of values or beliefs, he or she is seriously damaging the therapeutic relationship. Therefore, even if the psychologist does not agree with the patient's political or religious ideas or beliefs, he/she should never question them.

10. Failure to refer to other professionals when necessary

It may happen that the therapist detects that the relationship with the patient has come to an end for different reasons.

It is possible that the relationship between the two is not appropriate, that the patient needs the help of another professional who is an expert in a certain subject, or that the patient simply does not fit in with your therapeutic model. In these cases, the therapist should refer the patient to another professional so that the patient can benefit from the help provided by another health professional. Failure to do so is malpractice.