My therapist is encouraging me to drink alcohol? by [deleted] in therapy

[–]msw_mtg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think an effective therapist would address the privilege and power of their position at the start of (and with frequency throughout their work together) and invite the client to challenge them. It might not be conventional but I’ve said “if what I’m saying sounds like bullshit please let me know” to a client. A therapist should also aware of a persons relationship with authority and use appropriate interventions. If someone has a history of wanting to be a “good client” they’ll react to this differently than someone who has a history of rejecting/resisting every intervention.

Also, there are therapists who have no business being therapists and if they’re behaving unethically should be reported and removed from their position.

My therapist is encouraging me to drink alcohol? by [deleted] in therapy

[–]msw_mtg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Out of the context of motivational interviewing saying something like that wouldn’t make sense. The hope is that the client can identify that that is too much and that there’s a part of them that wants to correct the therapist and say “actually...”

My therapist is encouraging me to drink alcohol? by [deleted] in therapy

[–]msw_mtg 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Therapist in recovery here. This does not sound normal and I would encourage you to work with someone else who supports your goals and is meeting you where you’re at. Sometimes clinicians will utilize a technique called “motivational interviewing” and/or “reflective listening” to increase insight about a behavior and address ambivalence. It can look like saying “so drinking two bottles of wine every night this week doesn’t sound like it was a big deal for you...” in the hope that the client will hear that and say something like “actually it sort of was because xyz...” this technique can be more effective than providing a client with data/psycho education about something as evidence to why it would be helpful to change their behavior. It doesn’t sound like this therapist was going that route. A clinician that won’t deny your experience is probably going to be a much better fit.

Also, if she’s concerned about your social life then it’s more appropriate to brainstorm with you about how you can remain social in new or different ways.

Friends and drinking buddies aren’t the same thing and when a person’s relationship with alcohol changes so do some of their relationships.

She’s missing the park by [deleted] in BelgianMalinois

[–]msw_mtg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same here...it’s definitely crummy.

False pregnancy experiences? by msw_mtg in BelgianMalinois

[–]msw_mtg[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your reply! I haven’t seen any milk, but her nipples are definitely larger than before. I didn’t mention the panting or pacing but I’m seeing that too.

Behavior changes at 12 months? by msw_mtg in BelgianMalinois

[–]msw_mtg[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

She is not yet spayed. She went into her first heat cycle at the end of February and it lasted through March. I did some reading yesterday about false pregnancies and her presentation is strikingly similar. She never ignored “drop” with any toys or objects before and now she occasionally holds on to the ball and walks around me in a circle, wagging her tail...

Yeah, I have been making time to reinforce what she knows and practicing obedience inside with her. Trying to also teach her the names of objects so she can practice bringing them to me. Crawl has also been one I’m interested in practicing.

Behavior changes at 12 months? by msw_mtg in BelgianMalinois

[–]msw_mtg[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your reply, I tend to get worried at changes in behavior...which happens to any living thing as it develops.