Minding Your Mental Health

 Section I - Mental Health Facts

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Evaluating Your Treatment

It is not always easy to evaluate treatment. You may not be able to look at it objectively or know what to expect. For treatment to be effective:

bullet You should be comfortable with your counselor.
bullet You should feel the treatment he or she is providing is helpful.
bullet You should feel that your counselor understands you and accepts your opinions.
bullet Your needs should be addressed.
bullet You and your counselor should define and agree on the goals of your treatment and determine together when treatment should end.
bullet You should be able to alter your treatment goals at any time.
bullet You should feel you are making progress toward your goals.
bullet You need to trust your counselor and feel respected by him or her.
bullet Your counselor should behave in a professional manner. (Sexual contact with a client is exploitive and should never be a part of therapy.)

If you are not satisfied with your treatment, do one or more of the following:

bullet Express your concerns directly to your counselor to see if the problem can be resolved.
bullet Ask to speak to your counselor’s supervisor if you are uncomfortable expressing a concern to your counselor.
bullet Find another counselor.
bullet Inform the state licensing board if you think your counselor’s conduct has been unethical or illegal.

It's important to ask yourself about your satisfaction and progress.

A telephone is a means of expressing your feelings.


Copyright 2004, 5th Edition, American Institute for Preventive Medicine. All rights reserved.