On many occasions Patients ask us questions before going to the psychologist which do not strictly concern their clinical course and which leave us psychologists “out of the game”, even if only for a few moments. Other times, however, what happens is that they do not dare to ask, either out of shame, shyness, “I don’t want to be thrown out” or because, on many occasions, we ourselves create a great storm in our heads when there is not even a thunder.
In any case, what you will find in the following lines are questions, more or less compromising, whether at a personal or contextual level, collected over a period of time in clinical practice. Obviously, not all of them are there – because many have already been answered in other articles such as “I don’t believe in psychologists” – nor are they all there are. Shall we begin?
Should I call a psychologist a doctor?
Normally, clinical psychologists, who are those who treat patients either in hospitals or in private practices, are graduates – currently with a Bachelor’s degree – in Psychology and, therefore, such a title would not apply to them, although it is true that many patients tend to use the Dr/a. However, some psychologists have completed doctorates and are doctors, and, therefore, the title of Dr/a in psychology would apply to them. At this point, we should clarify that many doctors and dentists – among other professionals – are only graduates and are called “doctors” out of habit.
Are all psychologists psychoanalysts?
No, a psychologist may not be a psychoanalyst. A psychologist is a graduate in psychology who has studied many theories, including psychoanalysis, which is one of his/her orientations. However, there are other orientations: cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, systemic, brief strategic, positive, Gestalt, acceptance and commitment, etc. Some psychologists even have a basic orientation, such as cognitive-behavioral, but they take elements from other orientations to develop their interventions. Therefore, it is said that their orientation is eclectic.
The psychoanalyst is not necessarily a psychologist; in fact, Freud was a neurologist. Psychoanalysts therefore rely on Freudian theories, active listening, the unconscious, failed actions or dream analysis.
Why do some psychologists use a couch and others don't?
Psychoanalysts use the couch with some patients. If they are of any other orientation, they will not use the couch.
What is the difference between a psychologist and a social psychologist?
Social psychologists are trained to work with groups but cannot provide clinical care. Psychologists who are not social are usually clinical psychologists, who are trained to work with people and can provide clinical care.
Will the psychologist tell me what to do?
No, The psychologist does not tell the patient what to do.just as he does not tell him what is right or wrong. The psychologist helps the patient to discover what blocks him, what behaviors benefit him, which ones can upset him, but, in the end, it is the patient who makes his own decisions without the psychologist imposing his criteria, but rather he advises healthy guidelines, homework and positive behaviors. The psychologist is not a judge, but he understands the difficulties that any process of change entails and observes it objectively. But he does not play the role of father, mother, or friend. He is a person oriented towards helping relationships.
Do psychologists really hypnotize?
Only trained psychologists can hypnotizethat is, they have training in clinical hypnosis. It should never be done without the necessary training and practice, which must be accredited with some document that is visible to the patient. Obviously, all those psychologists with the proper training, carry out their work adequately and in a correct manner.
Can I cheat on my psychologist?
Yes, of course, but what good is it to you? Therapeutic work is based on a contract of honesty by both partieswhich is based on the assumption that the patient wants to overcome his problem and that he puts himself in the hands of the professional for help. Therefore, if the patient intends to deceive it is difficult for him to detect it immediately, although, over time, he will pick up on contradictions in the discourse, inexplicable “memory lapses”, even more inexplicable changes of opinion… The question is to take everything, connect it… and if you are pretending, you will end up falling for your own deception. In any case, you must remember that the one who is really deceived is not the psychologist, but you yourself who are wasting your time and money.
Something very different is the resistances of which we spoke in the previous point, that is, that the patient feels hesitation in telling certain things. As the professional facilitates the building of trust – the therapeutic alliance that must be strong – these 'secrets' will be revealed. That this occurs falls within the «normal» parameters of all therapy.
Why don't psychologists talk about their personal lives?
In fact, this depends on the theoretical orientation of the psychologist, so that some orientations are very rigorous, others much less so. In the first, the Therapists seek to focus the patient only in their own environment, avoiding the psychologist being left as an ideal or a role model.
Can a psychologist have any kind of connection with his patients, be it a business relationship, a romantic relationship or a friendship?
No, is contraindicated since it directly affects the therapy – as we already discussed in the article – «Can psychologist and patient be friends?» -. However, this does not mean that the psychologist should be a mummy, but he or she should be able to maintain a distance for the good of the patient.
Can a psychologist have sexual relations with a patient?
A psychologist must maintain a professional relationship with his patientsas well as the ethical components and legal obligations included in the Deontological Code of each Official College of Psychologists of each province (even after they cease to be 'their patients'). According to some therapeutic guidelines, it is advisable to maintain a strict separation between the social and professional fields, avoiding any overlap between friends/companions and patients; for example, it is advisable to refuse invitations to private parties of patients.
The psychologist must preserve the therapeutic framework and his/her patient with the utmost respect, and avoid any type of sexual relationship, even if it were suggested by the patient. If it is the professional who treats you who oversteps the boundaries, you should know that you can report this situation both in the criminal sphere and before the Deontological Commission of the Official College of Psychologists.
Do psychologists have problems?
Exactly the same as anyone else. Psychologists are not a rare species Coming from Mars, we do not have antennas and moles, we are people who suffer and enjoy, just like anyone else. To make a comparison, it is like asking a doctor if he can get sick. Can he? Or does the fact of being a doctor make him immune? Following the comparison, it is true that each professional can try to apply, more or less, his knowledge and skills to his own life. This does not invalidate the precise application of his techniques on others (in the same way that a cardiovascular surgeon who smokes can still be an excellent surgeon).
Do psychologists get angry?
Of course! We get angry but we are also very sad, we are happy, surprised, and even – but, keep this a secret – we are afraid… because Psychologists are people and we have emotions just like any patient.The only difference is that we have learned to control them so that at least some of them do not arise during consultation. And if, rarely, we get angry, surely there is a reason behind it that the patient in front of us does not know – for example, a patient at risk, a serious patient or we have just given bad news – and this would explode the controls of the most controlled person in existence. And – if that happens – the psychologist is capable of apologizing but, is the patient capable of accepting them?
LAre you psychologists crazy?
We psychologists are just as “crazy” as the general population and Practicing the profession is no guarantee against madnessThe truth is that the practice of psychology causes great mental strain and can produce alterations in mood and personality, as do professions that are dedicated to contact with people, such as doctors and nurses, especially with sick people.
Can a psychologist stop treating someone because he or she doesn't like them?
No, because it would go against the Code of Ethics. What Yes, the psychologist can decide not to treat someone if he thinks he cannot give them the attention they deserve. because it is a very complicated case, for which he does not feel he is sufficiently prepared, for example. In this case, the most common thing is to make a referral. That is, to send the patient to a colleague who is recognized as having training in the necessary area. From that moment, the person becomes a patient of the second psychologist, and the first – due to the existing professional relationship – can provide the second with background information on the patient's history, for better treatment.
I don't need therapy!
Can a psychologist help a patient who does not want his help?
No, there is no reason why something different should happen with psychologists than with doctors, that is, you cannot help someone who is only creating obstacles to receiving such help.
A patient can go to a psychologist's office because, in recent weeks, you have noticed some change in your mood or behavior and this alteration interferes with your interpersonal, academic, work, family relationships, and even with yourself. The first thing the psychologist will do is ask you in what situations you have experienced these symptoms and what exactly the changes consisted of. The psychologist, like the doctor, needs information in order to establish a specific diagnosis.
But, for all this, the patient's willingness to participate in the therapeutic relationship is essential since it is a 50% relationship for which the patient's positive attitude is required.
Don't psychologists get bored of listening to so many patients?
It is possible; it depends on the therapist and the passion he puts into his work. If he is not very passionate, he will obviously end up getting bored. If he is passionate – like me – he will see that no patient is the same and, therefore, every day and every hour of the schedule is different. Although, of course, there are cases that can be more interesting than others. In any case, can the treatment be affected if a patient bores or amuses the psychologist too much? Will a surgeon operate better or worse if the jokes told in the operating room have…