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How to Find An Effective Therapist/Mental Health Professional
Until we conduct a series of training and certification workshops for mental health professionals who wish to develop a specialization in treating clients who have been bullied at work and have a list of graduates, we cannot refer targets with confidence to any therapist. Instead, we offer the following guidelines.
We strongly urge all bullied individuals to seek professional help, even if for a short period, to relieve the burden we place on our family and friends. Targets' emotional injuries (from the psychological assault on your integrity and dignity, a clear sense of violated expectations about a safe and secure workplace) can overwhelm the most committed partners. Bullying jeopardizes not only the target's health, but strains family relationships. An effective, understanding therapist can help. The help you need has to be locally delivered. We suggest using your health insurance, if you have it still, to meet with a counselor.
Counselors can be Masters-prepared (M.A. in clinical psychology or L.C.S.W. clinical social workers). Psychologists have a doctorate which is either a PhD in clinical psychology or a PsyD also in clinical psychology. Psychiatrists are physicians (M.D.) who are able to prescribe medications for psychological distress. In most states only psychiatrists can order medication. In some states psychiatric nurse practitioners or physicians' assistants (A.R.N.P, P.A.) can also order medication. Most counselors work collaboratively with a professional who can prescribe medications.
Your current or former employer may offer employee assistance (EAP). However many EAP counselors have trouble honoring confidentiality or feel sympathetic to the employer who pays their contract. Find an independent mental health professional. We love EAPs who understand bullying and have even written an article for their national journal, but we get too many complaints from bullied targets betrayed by their EAP.
- One who says that you're the problem and does not believe that anyone could do what the bully did.
- One who is curious about your relationship with your mother, but doesn't want to hear what happened at work.
- One who specializes only in children or teenagers.
- A specialist in trauma, post traumatic stress (PTSD), or one who leads groups of PTSD sufferers. A nearby Veterans Administration clinic may know someone.
- A specialist in domestic violence.
- A specialist in anxiety disorders.
- A therapist who advertises certification in EMDR (a technique to reduce anxiety)
You may be reluctant to quiz prospective therapists on the phone prior to an initial appointment. Remember you are the client. You are paying or directing insurance dollars to their pockets. Shopping for therapy is a consumer task. Therapists are in business. If he or she makes you uncomfortable when you ask the questions we suggest you ask, do not use him or her as a therapist. If during the initial session a therapist makes you uncomfortable, feel free to leave that session.
You probably tolerated bullying too long. That's why you're seeking a therapist now. So don't let a therapist bully you and worsen your emotional health.
- Have you heard of the term workplace bullying? If not, would you be willing to learn about it? (You can download articles from the website and direct the therapist to the book The Bully at Work)
- Do you understand how a work environment can elicit or cause to happen dysfunctional behavior at work?
- Do you emphasize present issues over early life experiences?
- Do you have a conflict of interest regarding any matters related to company X. (my current or past employer)
- Is there an ideal number of sessions that you prefer? How would you characterize your therapeutic technique?
Try to interview 3 or more therapists (or their receptionists) before scheduling the initial session. If it doesn't work out with one, you will be able to call on another.
If the therapist resists the concept of workplace bullying and is not open to learning, do not hire that person. If they underestimate the role of a work environment which includes having a bullying boss and an unsupportive HR, this type of therapist is likely to blame you for your fate. You cannot work with a therapist who has a conflict. He or she will defend the employer and be biased. Most contemporary counselors use "cognitive-behavorial" approaches that would include desensitization techniques which work well to decrease anxiety. Nearly any therapeutic philosophy works except psychoanalytic or psychodynamic.
So the task of finding a therapist cannot be passive. You must be a questioning active consumer. If this threatens any therapists that you screen, avoid them.
Your experience with bullying validates years of research. Bullying clearly effects the psychological health of targeted people.
You might want to read some of the scientific research articles at this Workplace Bullying Institute (WBI) website.
Good Luck,
Workplace Bullying Institute
bullyinginstitute.org