After
about six months of psychotherapy I had a dream in which my
psychotherapist was shown to be indifferent and uncaring. My psychotherapist
trivialized the dream, as she does with most dreams that I tell her about.
Now I have stopped telling her my dreams. Ever since this dream, I seem
to be getting nowhere in therapy and feel as though I am wasting my time.
I tried to talk to her about all of my feelings as transference,
and she got annoyed with me. . . . She made me feel very
foolish. . . . When I told her I wanted to terminate with
her . . . I asked for my file. She said that . . . she
had no file, but rather notes on pads in different places. This stuck me
as very odd. I have to wonder where these notes are lying around, and who
is reading them. Do you find that odd?
It seems clear to me that your dream most likely was the
result of your
unconscious perception
that your therapist lacks the ability to “treat” you properly—and
I mean that both humanly and clinically. Her inability to
interpret your dream,
and her inability to respond clinically to your attempt to discuss
transference both
point to her being one of those “bad therapists” I mention on this
website. It’s to your credit that you perceived this fairly early on
in the relationship.
I say the following
about clinical records on my page about
confidentiality
in clinical psychology:
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In the US, federal
laws governing the nature and confidentiality of mental health records may
be overridden by more stringent state laws, so psychological practice can
vary from state to state. But in general a psychotherapist is required to
keep some basic records that consist of the dates of your sessions, and your
fees and payments. Clinical notes that describe and justify your treatment may be
kept, but for the sake of anonymity such notes may not be kept; you have a
right to ask about
this. |
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As for choosing
a new psychotherapist, I have
a page on that
subject on this website; I can add here that you might look specifically
for someone who practices
psychodynamic
psychotherapy. In addition, then, you could ask if the psychotherapist
has had experience in
dream interpretation.
You can also ask about the person’s own psychotherapy—someone who
has been in
psychoanalysis
is more likely (but not guaranteed) to be sensitive to dream work and
transference issues.
And then, use the very first session to determine how that person treats
you; that is, does he or she give
honest, non-defensive
answers to your questions? Does he or she show a balance between listening
and taking the lead to guide you? And, the best “test” of all is whether you leave
that first session with the experience of having been both challenged and supported,
and that you have actually learned something new about yourself. Then pay attention
to your dreams!
No
advertising—no sponsor—just the simple truth . . .
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If
this website has helped you, then