My Top 3 Annoyances of Being a Mental Health Therapist
We all have pet peeves-
those little things that drive us up a wall no matter how hard we try to ignore them.
As a therapist specializing in OCD, my top priority is to help you overcome intrusive thoughts and compulsions. Whether you're a therapy seeker or a therapist yourself, you'll likely relate to these annoyances.
My Top Three Explained
Therapists who claim to treat OCD without offering exposure response prevention (ERP) therapy.
ERP is the most effective treatment for OCD. Therapists need to get proper training and offer effective treatment for OCD patients. If you are struggling with intrusive thoughts and compulsions, do not hesitate to seek out a therapist who specializes in ERP therapy for the best possible outcome in your mental wellness journey. Many individuals seeking therapy for OCD have already tried other therapists who did not use ERP, resulting in ineffective treatment. This not only wastes time and resources but also leaves you feeling defeated and hopeless. It is essential for therapists to receive proper training in OCD and only advertise that they treat OCD if they offer ERP therapy.
Doctors dictating the frequency or content of therapy sessions.
As a therapist, I am not telling the doctor how much Prozac to give their patients. That is not my area of expertise nor training, and that is okay. So why are they trying to say how much therapy someone needs when they don’t offer therapy? Every provider needs to stay in their lane.
Insurance.
Enough said, right? Insurance headaches, like lost claims and delayed payments, are a major annoyance for everybody. Mental health awareness is on the rise, with an expected 9% growth in the field of mental health counseling over the next decade. Despite lingering stigma, insurance coverage and services are expanding to support mental health care needs. Thrizer is a helpful billing service that simplifies the insurance process for both therapy seekers and therapists, making it easier to access mental health benefits.
Mental health is not a quick fix, but a process that requires support and space for growth. As a therapist, I have witnessed incredible progress in my OCD patients when using ERP therapy. Seeing you graduate from therapy and experiencing a huge drop off with your intrusive thoughts and compulsions is truly rewarding.
Conclusion
In conclusion, therapy for OCD should include exposure response prevention to provide individuals with the tools they need to manage their symptoms and achieve long-term recovery. If you are seeking therapy for intrusive thoughts and compulsions, it is important to ask your therapist about your treatment plan and goals. If ERP therapy is not included, it is unlikely to be effective in addressing your OCD symptoms. It is okay to ask questions and advocate for the type of therapy that will best suit your needs.
