When it comes to improving your life, it’s best to work with a licensed mental health professional. They’ll provide you with the tools and confidence to face challenges on your own.
Unfortunately, not all people who call themselves “therapists” operate within established ethical boundaries. Other so-called professionals might overstep boundaries, making these mistakes:
- Violating their client’s privacy by overreaching and contacting family members.
- Using AI language models to help “treat” clients in the middle of sessions.
- Make inappropriate comments that aren’t helpful for their clients’ well-being.
Mike Shihadeh of Therapy By You shares examples of ethical violations and therapy red flags he found in a Reddit sub-thread. While there’s no way to verify these experiences, they highlight why everyone should only work with a licensed therapist.
Overstepping, Intrusive Life Coach
Here’s a good example of the danger that comes with trusting your well-being to someone other than a licensed mental health professional.
The Issue: A Reddit user who’s estranged from her mother shared a story of an intrusive letter her husband received. The person who sent the letter claimed to be a “psychiatrist,” but online research indicated that they were a “life coach.”
Shihadeh’s Analysis: Sharing client information with others is inappropriate, invasive, and violates a client’s privacy. Unfortunately, “life coaches” aren’t held to the same professional ethics as licensed therapists.
Advice: For ethical mental health counseling and treatment, it’s always best to work with a licensed therapist. These professionals maintain your privacy and work with you for your best mental health outcomes.
Therapist Using ChatGPT During Session
This shows why it’s so important to pay attention to whether your therapist is actually engaged with you during treatment.
The Issue: During a telehealth session, another Reddit user made a disturbing claim. They said they caught their therapist typing their statements into AI and reading the responses as therapeutic advice.
Shihadeh’s Analysis: AI should never be used during a client’s sessions to generate responses. Therapy is not about feeding a client a generated summary; it is about uncovering the root causes of their behavior and teaching them how to process it.
Advice: Shihadeh encourages clients to push back if they detect this major red flag. Clients should never feel obligated to protect their therapist’s feelings or manage their therapist’s comfort.
Inappropriate Comments from a Therapist
A mental health professional who makes hurtful remarks isn’t helping their clients. While rare, these issues must be taken seriously.
The Issue: This was shared by a Reddit user struggling with self-esteem issues and obsessive thoughts about their appearance. Allegedly, their therapist said, “You are not pretty, but you have an interesting face.”
Shihadeh’s Analysis: He considers this comment highly inappropriate and stated that it offers no therapeutic value. The therapist should have explored what the client likes about themselves and investigated the root of their obsessive comparisons.
Advice: Shihadeh suggests the client push back on the therapist regarding that comment. If a client doesn’t feel comfortable with their therapist, they can always find another licensed therapist who might be more helpful.
Finding a Licensed Therapist: What to Look For
Don’t just choose someone because their office is nearby. It’s better to make sure the therapist is the right match for you and your therapy goals.
When you start looking at different mental health service providers, use these simple rules to find the best one for you:
- Credentials: Make sure they hold a state license, such as LPC, or NCC. This shows that they’ve completed” the necessary training and follow professional ethics.
- Specialized Services: Don’t hire a generalist for something so important. Choose a therapist who focuses on your specific needs, such as couples therapy, anxiety therapy, or ADHD/ADD therapy.
- Communication Style: During your first session, pay attention to the connection you and your therapist share. You need an elite-level listener who pays attention and is empathetic.
- Cultural and Value Alignment: It’s good to work with a therapist who understands your background and values. This eliminates having to explain your worldview each session.
Your best chance at achieving real and lasting change comes from finding the best therapist serving Metro Detroit.
Therapy By You: Quality Help from Metro Detroit’s Best Provider
If you need a safe space to explore your needs without judgment, you need to work with a licensed therapist. At Therapy By You in Bingham Farms, MI, Mike Shihadeh helps clients as a licensed therapist with these credentials:
- MA (Master of Arts): Mike spent years in graduate school to become an expert on how the human mind works.
- LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor): This indicates that the state has reviewed Mike’s work and identifies him as a safe, professional counselor who adheres to the highest standards for therapy.
- NCC (National Certified Counselor): Mike earned a nationally recognized title that reflects his commitment to using the best practices to help clients.
Isn’t it time to get real help from an ethical, licensed therapist who provides solutions for your healing? Call (248) 919-8092 or contact us online to make positive changes in your life!
