Wow, I cannot believe how crazy the past few years have been and that I have not written for three years. Part of the reason for doing so is that it is apparent in the counseling profession, anything can be used against you. There is no innocent until proven guilty. There is simply guilt and good luck proving otherwise. So, I have not written in order to not provide additional writings that could be turned around, twisted or manipulated in order to present me in a false light.
I have reached a point though where I am not going to let fear, anxiety or apprehension stop me from being who I am and doing what I need to do. When I created this blog it was to be honest. One of my blogs was been used against me as a breach of confidentiality even though there is no person named etc.
The truth? If you are a therapist cover your a**. I have come to learn how truly vulnerable we are in our field. If you irk someone or make them mad, there is nothing stopping them from going after you in many forms including litigiously. In these cases, there is much protection for the public as there should be. But, there is no protection for us. Recently while providing evidence for the lies within an issue I was disputing, I was told "Just because some of it is lies, does not mean it is all lies". WHAT???? We do not have the protection of a rational court where you are innocent until proven guilty. It is totally the other way around.
I am in the process of writing a few books one of which will include some horrible but honest experiences that I have had as a psychologist. Last year, I terminated with a client in order to help her with finding housing, straightening her social security etc. There is little you can do, in my opinion, if trying to provide therapy for a client who has no housing, food, water etc. Three months later as winter was approaching and the hard frosts hitting, this individual was still homeless. So, my husband and I invited her into our home and she lives with us since that time the end of last Nov. I found her a new therapist and have never served in that capacity since terminating with her last summer.
I was told by a so-called expert that psychologically it would have been better to stay her therapist and leave her homeless. SAY WHAT? I live in a very rural area where all housing options had been exhausted. You cannot do cognitive behavioral therapy when a person does not have the basics such as shelter, food and water. HELLO MASLOW!!! I am baffled and disgusted.
There is such a considerable lack of humanity in a profession that is all about helping people and yet the manner in which we are to help is drastically limited. Why? The code says DO NOT HARM! Absolutely but providing food, water and shelter is more harmful than remaining her therapist? I am so concerned with the direction the mental health field appears to be going. So, I will not provide counseling services again. I plan to continue to speak and teach, helping others to help to the best of their ability while providing accurate protection for themselves. The reality is that none of us are safe if a client wants to pursue us. I never understood the true nature of this profession until I was already in over my head.
So, what to say and how to conclude, I do not know except to say I am me. I have significant empathy and compassion for others and am not going to change who I am. I may change the manner in which I help others but cannot deny the nature of my being. Even if I save one person or make one person's life better than I have made a difference. This is an honor and priviledge I will not waste or take for granted.
