Do therapists really care or is it just a job? Are you wondering if your therapist really cares about you?
If you are, you’re not alone.
This comes up with clients a lot — they want to know if the caring they feel from me is real. I went for a walk with a therapist friend this week and we talked about this.
Do you want to know the truth?
Yes. We care.
If you feel genuinely cared for by your therapist, it’s real. It’s too hard to fake that.
And the truth is that most therapists (myself and the therapists I refer to) care too much.
We do think about you outside of session.
We consult with each other (keeping your confidentiality sacred of course) because we want to make sure we are doing the best we can for you. Sometimes we, or at least I, stay awake thinking about my clients and what they are needing. I feel honored that they trust me with their trauma, their pain, their struggles.
Yeah, I know sometimes you may wonder if you just pay us to care but we genuinely do care. Or at least I do.
Sincerely.
Yes, we need to make a living but we couldn’t do this work well if the connection wasn’t there.
Recently, I saw a former client at Target and I wanted desperately to run and ask her how she’s doing. Because I want to know. I tell my clients that I won’t approach them unless they approach me first out of respect for their confidentiality so I didn’t approach her. If she did see me, I was not dressed the part of therapist — I looked more disheveled mom that day— she might not have even recognized me and if she did, I might have scared her.
When former clients reach out and send me an email letting me know how they are doing and how our work together has impacted them, it makes my day. I love it.
Anyway, my point is this: If you are my client or ever have been my client and you have felt cared for by me, I wasn’t faking it. I care. I really do. And if you’re someone else’s client and you wonder if your therapist really cares about you, chances are that they do too.
The Team Behind the Message:
At Beach Cities Psychotherapy, our team of dedicated therapists truly care about your well-being. We are passionate about sharing valuable information to support and guide you on your journey. Whether you’re facing life’s challenges or seeking personal growth, our team is here to ensure you receive the compassionate care and support you deserve. We’re committed to helping you navigate through your concerns and are always here to take care of you every step of the way.
More From Us:
5 Mistakes Parents Make with Teenagers and Gender Identity and/or Sexual Identity
During and after the pandemic, I saw an overwhelming surge in teenagers struggling with issues of sexual and gender identity. I also saw a huge increase in the parents reaching out for support around their teenagers’ gender and/or sexual identity struggles. It can be...
Adulting and the Struggle to Launch
College is over. We expect the career we have dreamed of to open up and present itself. This was the promise, right? Do the work, get good grades, go to college and it will all be okay. And then it’s not. It’s painful. And disappointing. And frustrating. And why was...
Burnout and Secondary Trauma: When Caring Hurts
Trauma is a slippery friend. Sometimes, it’s clear and easy to recognize. And sometimes, we don’t realize that the symptoms we are experience are symptoms of trauma at all. When people feel “burnout,” they are often struggling with secondary trauma and the compassion...