Vol. 544, April 9, 2020 – What Are Some Things a Psychotherapist Should Be Looking For In a Patient?
This was a very important question that was asked by a person on Quora because it emphasizes why it is that we need to be able to not just speak to people but to observe them in real life as well. When I do my online hypnosis sessions, video needs to be involved especially in the first few sessions as I get to know my client and how they present under different emotional states. Body language is so important while working with another human being because there are many movements that contradict what a person may be saying. These unconscious movements are telling us what the client is actually thinking making them very important to be able to witness. This is how I answered this question on Quora, except for the last one which a very helpful Quoran noted I had forgotten – and probably the most important of all dare I say.
This is an excellent question, so thanks for asking it.
- Lack Of Communication that was once there.
- Pretending all is fine when you know from other sources – family members- it is not.
- Saying conflicting things when asked a fairly simple question.
- Lack Of Eye Contact that used to e there.
- Any changes in mood – escalating into hyper talk when normally more reasonably paced.
- Worried about someone (or even myself) being out to harm them without any real cause.
- Over defensiveness.
- Irritability and impatience
- Crying without being able to explain what triggered it.
- Bruised multiple times over a period of time
- Speaking of things in a metaphorical way that can be challenging to understand such as schizophrenics use while hallucinating.
- Rapid change of mood from happy and content to anger sometimes leading to rage.
- Self-harming cuts and scars.
- Suicidal Ideation is when a patient speaks of having notions of feeling so depressed that they would rather be dead – or ANY talk of suicidal actions.
These are some of the things I attend to while working with clients to better help them out – and sometimes it’s a referral to a different practitioner better able to handle the particular situation.
One of the most important things a clinician needs to understand is their scope of care. Anything outside requires if not a consult with a complementary practitioner for tests I cannot do, then an outright referral to the appropriate professional is required- period! I really wish more mental health professionals would understand that the body works as a whole system and to respect it as such. Hormones and even the very medications given can cause all sorts of emotional looking symptoms and yet they are not – they are physiological in nature and need to be treated as such.
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About Suzanne
Suzanne Kellner-Zinck founded Dawning Visions Hypnosis in 2002, She has become an innovator in the use of hypnotism and neuro-linguistic programming in the areas of obsessive compulsive disorders such as: eating disorders, sexual addiction and substance abuse as well as working with those with anxiety and mood disorders.
Her clients have come to work with her from across the United States and as far away as Africa to help them to finally be freed from these emotional issues that once ruled their lives. Today she is in the process of bringing her work to many more in the form of ebooks and other downloadable formats.
She is a member of American Holistic Medical Association and the American College for Advancement in Medicine.
Prior to founding Dawning Visions Hypnosis, Kellner-Zinck worked within vendor programs for the mentally ill working to help them to live up to their fullest potential. Many of her previous clients were able to move out on their own and find fulfilling work.
Kellner-Zinck is a Certified Trainer of Hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic programing through Tad James Company, Inc. and a Master Hypnotist and Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming through Advanced Neuro Dynamics. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education and political studies from Curry College.
Dawning Visions Hypnosis is teaching people that they can indeed leave their unwanted behaviors behind as they move forward to living fulfilling and joy filled lives.