This was a question that was asked on Quora and this is how I answered it:
I don’t believe there is one answer as there are many types of therapists out there as well as many types of patients.
If someone is truly depressed or has another type of situation where they have lost their sense of self, maybe their hope of ever achieving whatever life goals they had, they most likely will have the one-dimensional view of themselves as being not good enough, unlovable, whatever it is that they have come to believe about their situation.
On the other hand, there are many very functional clients who have great insight into their issues and they are able to see the hope and with that understand that there is more than one perspective from which to view themselves. They mainly need help putting different things together to better understand where they are and better choices they can create for themselves going forward.
In terms of therapists, there are many who are ready to diagnose their patients and never allow them to have an identity other than that diagnosis which is a shame because at least from my 30 years in the business of mental health the great majority of my clients have been able to let go of the underlying causes to the symptoms that got them the diagnosis moving on to constructive fulfilled lives. I had a client ages ago who was told she would always need antidepressants though they never helped her, only gave her a bunch of really frustrating side effects. Turned out that the symptoms of depression she showed were due to heavy metal damage, leaky gut, a genetic problem she received from both sides of the family – she needed supplements to help her to develop the serotonin, dopamine, GABA her body was unable to do for her, to have her leaky gut repaired, and the heavy metals got out of her body. No amount of therapy or antidepressants was going to help her. I referred her to an integrative doc to help her with these issues.
There are other therapists who understand that one is not their diagnosis and do everything in their power to help their patients overcome whatever needs to be overcome healing the traumas, getting out of negative relationships and environments to be free to move on with their lives as an example.
The bottom line is that it would be doing everyone who is a part of the field of mental health to put everyone in. the same boxes as each is individual bringing their own experiences, abilities, and understanding to the process.
Subscribe Now to the Dawning Visions Hypnosis Newsletter
If you found this blog post helpful and informative, then Suzanne would like to invite you to subscribe to the Dawning Visions Hypnosis Newsletter and receive notice of new blog posts, general news,special offers and upcoming events. A confirmation email will be sent to you and you will be granted access to the ever expanding free gift page which currently includes an anti-stress hypnotic induction mp3, an eating disorder induction mp3 and a pdf of the first chapter of Suzanne's upcoming book on sexual addiction.
Subscribe Now to the Dawning Visions Hypnosis Newsletter
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.