Therapists Aired The Moments They Realized A Client Could Not Be Helped
In 2020 alone, the CDC reported that 20.3 percent of American adults received mental health treatment.
Fortunately, seventy-five percent of people who participate in mental health therapy do “show some benefit from it.” But, this still leaves a quarter of patients unaccounted for.
Interestingly enough, therapists have taken to Reddit to discuss the moments they realized a client could not be helped.
“The moment I realize they do not want to be helped.”
“It is usually with the cases that are bullied into therapy by loved ones. Of course, most of them at least become curious about the process and begin being a part of it. But, there are the few who will not stop resisting no matter how many sessions.”
“Clients who only come because a partner, parent, or court system made them are generally a waste of everyone’s time and money. Rarely does someone who is referred by someone else make progress. It is usually an indicator to me that they are not ready/motivated.”
“When the client’s pathology requires intense or medical intervention.”
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“Therapy cannot substitute for inpatient care when that is needed. And, therapists cannot prescribe medication even if it would help.”
“Unfortunately, inpatient care is always in short supply, and many clients resist that idea. You also often have to advise them that they cannot see you until completing an inpatient course of treatment.”
“When the client is clear that they will engage in illegal or harmful behavior.”
“I worked with a former client in a state prison. We were discussing their pending exit from prison and how they planned to mitigate their mental health care in the community.”
“The client proceeded to say they planned on drinking…snorting as much as they wanted. They said they had no intention of staying clean.”
“I told my supervisor then and there that I could not help the person. They were engaged in other unsavory actions and made clear they had zero intention of changing anything.”
“A client admitted that he was into (dead bodies). I had to contact the police since he also admitted to digging up gravesites.”
“When the client constantly lies.”
“A client was repeatedly lying about relapsing. The usage was only ever discovered by the person’s spouse and reported to me in session by the spouse.”
“If you cannot be honest with your therapist, then they eventually just become a part of a negative cycle for you. At that point, nothing has a possibility of changing.”
“When the client has a romantic interest.”
“I had a client who came to sessions because they had a crush on me. In their words, they believed they could make me fall in love with them.”
“This happens very often and has actually made me consider leaving the profession.”
“When I am simply not the right therapist for this client.”
“There are many reasons why I may not be the right therapist. I have my own style of communication, my own values, and my own personality. Those may not work with a certain client.”
“I have had little success with certain clients who I have sent to other therapists. With them, they have done well.”
“Similarly, I have taken on clients who were frustrated with their past therapists, and I have worked well with them.”
To read the complete Reddit thread, visit the link here.
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