Are You a New Therapist? Read This.

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Understanding How Therapy Works - The Basics

Written By: Volha Shelepava

This post might be interesting for working psychotherapists, although perhaps people outside the profession will also find it interesting to read!

The Foundation: Empathy

I will try to describe to you very simply and briefly how I work with transference and countertransference in working with clients.

Let's start with the fact that I am an empath, which means that I am good at connecting with the feelings of other people and literally feeling the situation from the inside. No, this is not a unique ability. Absolutely all people have it to some degree. 

How is a Therapist Different Than a Friend?

Now I want to show you how a session with a psychotherapist differs from a conversation with a friend.

When I emotionally connect with a client, I literally “dive” into their emotions to feel WHAT IT IS like to be this person in this situation. But! There are several very important features. Everything I think and feel about the client and their situation should never be taken as the ultimate truth. No and No! My third eye is not open, I do not read auras and I do not see the future. What helps me navigate what to do with the information I received? Here is the answer:

I can usually divide my thoughts, feelings and physical reactions into three main categories. My feelings around a client can be divided into three “streams”:

1. Reflect the client's own obvious or suppressed feelings; 

2. Reflect how other people feel around the client; and

3. Show me my own internal conflicts, blind spots and biases.

The Role of Neutrality

Another important step! In order to start any interactions with the client, it is necessary to get back to a neutral therapeutic position. If you don’t do this, you will have a friendly conversation but certainly not therapy.

I call this technique “Dolphin” to myself – I “dive” into the client’s emotions, find these three “streams”, “emerge” and only then give the feedback. I do that many times during a session.

How to learn to “emerge” and how to distinguish which one of the “streams” I have fallen into we learn in personal therapy and supervision.

Are You a New Therapist?

If you want to learn more and feel that you would benefit from learning about your unique therapeutic style, strong sides, and how to combine being human and therapist - join our group supervision. Here’s some things you need to know:

Format: Bi-Weekly 120-minute sessions, 5:30pm-7:30pm, virtually via Zoom

Dates: Beginning June 18th (or sooner if group is formed ahead of this date) and every other Wednesday evening thereafter

Cost: $600 per person ($300 due upon registration and $300 due by the 5th session)

Facilitators: Volha Shelepava, Registered Psychotherapist (RP) & Haley Moore, Registered Social Worker (RSW)

To register, fill out the form found here. If you’re not quite ready to “dive” in, join our mailing list here so you don’t miss the next opportunity!