Need a Therapist? Here are 6 Attributes to Look for

Clients are often referred to therapists by their employers' health service provider, their physician, their pediatrician, their lawyer, or other professionals with whom they may have a professional relationship.

However, it is important that the therapist has specific attributes that would allow for a productive professional relationship--a relationship that would be beneficial to you in your efforts to find solutions.

Also be prepared to talk with several therapists if necessary before choosing a therapist.

Here are some attributes that I think therapists should have:

1. Expertise in a given area and enough honesty to say when that expertise doesn't exist. Examples of mental health expertise can include such areas as depression, anxiety, manic-depressive, marital problems, and parent-child relationships.

2. Good listening and questioning attributes are important. Focused questions and careful listening is important to acquire an adequate understanding of your presenting problem. If the therapist draws conclusions too quickly, he or she may miss some key elements of your problem that must be addressed properly if the therapy is to be effective.

3. Working knowledge of multiple theoretical approaches and the ability to use these approaches when necessary. Some therapists makes the mistake of trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

A behaviorist therapist may try to apply this theoretical orientation to every problem or a cognitive therapist may try to apply this theoretical orientation to every problem. This would be a disservice.

4. A theoretical approach or approaches that are culturally neutral - that is, can be applied cross-culturally. Such an approach must recognize that all human being beings have certain basic needs and have relationships of one type or another and problems often arise from pursuing unproductive ways of addressing these needs and having unhealthy relationships.


5. Freedom from pre-conceived notions and prejudices with regards to race, sex, or occupation.

6. And, the attitude that everyone has the capacity to change, but sometimes just need help by choosing the right therapist.In choosing a therapist look for these attributes. You will be more likely to find one that you can relate to and can provide you with the help you need.


Do you know any other attributes that you think a therapist should have?  Leave your comments below.

Who’s at Risk for Stroke?

My mother had a stroke in the early 80s but miraculously recovered after being in a coma for 10 days. I use the term miraculously because the doctors said that she likely would not recover and that we should get prepared for her death.
However, my brother and I prayed everyday for her recovery and she recovered. Not only  did she recover, but she didn't show any after affects of having a stroke and lived for about 10 more years before dying of natural causes. I was very fortunate to get her to the emergency room in time.

Frequency of Strokes in the U.S.
Of the approximately 795,000 strokes that occur in the United States each year, about 610,000 are first strokes, and 185,000 are recurrent attacks.

Although the incidence of strokes has declined significantly since the 1960s, the strokes that do happen are just as severe. In fact, strokes  are a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States.

Risks of Having a Stroke
The odds of having a stroke more than double every 10 years after age 55. More than two-thirds of strokes involve people over 65. If you have a stroke, the risk of dying from it also increases with age. 88% of deaths from strokes are in people 65 and older.

Women have about 55,000 more strokes than men each year, and women make up about 60% of stroke deaths. Race is another risk factor. African Americans, for example, are almost twice as likely to suffer a stroke as are whites.

Warning Signs of Having a Stroke
Everyone should learn the following warning signs of stroke. If you experience any of these symptoms, immediately dial 911 or go to an emergency room:

• weakness in an arm, hand, or leg
• numbness on one side of the body
• sudden dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye
• sudden difficulty speaking
• inability to understand what someone is saying
• dizziness or loss of balance
• sudden, lasting, excruciating headache.

Do you have any thoughts on this subject. Leave your comments below.

12 Steps for Managing Stress

We all experience it at one time or another; this condition is called stress.  

It is perhaps the number one cause of most health problems today including ulcers, coronary heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, lung problems, accidental injuries, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide. 

Anti-anxiety drugs and ulcer medications are among the best selling prescription drugs in the United States. 

Nevertheless, stress is the process of living. The process of living is the process of having stress imposed on you and reacting to it without allowing it to cause any of the above health problems. 

Now let’s explore the 12 steps for managing stress in your life in a healthy and effective manner.

1. Talk about the problems you are experiencing with friends, loved ones, or a professional. Keeping everything bottled up will only create more problems later on.

2. Exercise. Exercise relieves tension and produces a calming effect.

3. Take a bath. A warm bath can be very relaxing and soothing.

4. Music can be calming. Listen to some soft jazz or instrumental music. Ocean or nature sounds also are a good way to release stress.

5. Healthy meals can become an important factor in limiting your stress.  Try to eat three meals a day (no heavy meals), and make an effort to avoid too much caffeine and sugar.

6. Sleep deprivation can cause stress. Six to seven hours sleep can often make all the difference.

7. Coping with stress can be challenging.  Every day you seem to be pulled in every direction, trying to accommodate others.  

The first priority is to take care of yourself. You are the thread which holds your family together. If you are stressed, you won’t be much good to anyone

8. Give yourself a break every now and then.  Buy a new outfit; go to a movie; do something you’ve always wanted to do.  Your family can take care of themselves for one day.  

Alone time is just as important to you as it is for everyone else.  Think of yourself as a gas tank; eventually you will run out of fuel.

9. Laughter is a wonderful release. Releasing tension through laughter is one the best cure-all method for dealing with stress-related issues.

10. Avoid stressful situations whenever possible.  If you are a working parent, it’s probably not the job but the people who are causing you the most stress.  Take everything in stride.

11. If you can’t finish a task, don’t worry about it.  If dinner doesn’t turn out as you expected, improvise or pick up something.

12. Life is too short; and stress can reduce it further.  Nothing is more important than your health or state of mind.


How well are you handling stress? Do you think these steps can be helpful?

Leave your comments below.