Dissociative Identity Disorder

[Geisterfahrer]

The topic if DID came up briefly in my Ethics in the counseling profession class yesterday. Strangely, the topic was not how to handle clients who have DID, but actually professionals who have DID. It was quite an interesting topic.

The main topic of discussion in our class was admittance to graduate school and what kind of screening graduate schools can do to keep people who are unfit to be counselors out of the program. The issue of whether people who are mentally ill are unfit to be counselors came up and we were debating it at length. Most people in the class believe that even those who are mentally ill can still be counselors as long as it doesn't impair their work.

One woman in the class shared that she knows a clinical social worker who has DID. For the most part, her DID does not impair her work. However, there was one time when the woman lost track of four days and her alters continued to see clients. Everyone in class was shocked, but my professor pointed out that it is quite possible that her alters were effective social workers too, depending on how much school they had attended with her.

My professor then shared that she actually attended graduate school with a woman who was diagnosed with DID during their graduate training program. The program attempted to kick the woman out of the program because of her DID, but the woman sued and was covered by the Americans with Disabilities act and allowed to return to the program and get her degree. She's now a licensed counselor with a private practice and does very well.

[Sweetpea The Tigress]

Geisterfahrer

The topic if DID came up briefly in my Ethics in the counseling profession class yesterday. Strangely, the topic was not how to handle clients who have DID, but actually professionals who have DID. It was quite an interesting topic.

The main topic of discussion in our class was admittance to graduate school and what kind of screening graduate schools can do to keep people who are unfit to be counselors out of the program. The issue of whether people who are mentally ill are unfit to be counselors came up and we were debating it at length. Most people in the class believe that even those who are mentally ill can still be counselors as long as it doesn't impair their work.

One woman in the class shared that she knows a clinical social worker who has DID. For the most part, her DID does not impair her work. However, there was one time when the woman lost track of four days and her alters continued to see clients. Everyone in class was shocked, but my professor pointed out that it is quite possible that her alters were effective social workers too, depending on how much school they had attended with her.

My professor then shared that she actually attended graduate school with a woman who was diagnosed with DID during their graduate training program. The program attempted to kick the woman out of the program because of her DID, but the woman sued and was covered by the Americans with Disabilities act and allowed to return to the program and get her degree. She's now a licensed counselor with a private practice and does very well.

Well, in the addiction field, i know that alcoholics and drug addicts can become counselors after they get sober... I have often suspected that certain of the professionals I met had some kind of mental illness or a personality disorder. It would explain a few things.

[Geisterfahrer]

Sweetpea The Tigress

Geisterfahrer

The topic if DID came up briefly in my Ethics in the counseling profession class yesterday. Strangely, the topic was not how to handle clients who have DID, but actually professionals who have DID. It was quite an interesting topic.

The main topic of discussion in our class was admittance to graduate school and what kind of screening graduate schools can do to keep people who are unfit to be counselors out of the program. The issue of whether people who are mentally ill are unfit to be counselors came up and we were debating it at length. Most people in the class believe that even those who are mentally ill can still be counselors as long as it doesn't impair their work.

One woman in the class shared that she knows a clinical social worker who has DID. For the most part, her DID does not impair her work. However, there was one time when the woman lost track of four days and her alters continued to see clients. Everyone in class was shocked, but my professor pointed out that it is quite possible that her alters were effective social workers too, depending on how much school they had attended with her.

My professor then shared that she actually attended graduate school with a woman who was diagnosed with DID during their graduate training program. The program attempted to kick the woman out of the program because of her DID, but the woman sued and was covered by the Americans with Disabilities act and allowed to return to the program and get her degree. She's now a licensed counselor with a private practice and does very well.

Well, in the addiction field, i know that alcoholics and drug addicts can become counselors after they get sober... I have often suspected that certain of the professionals I met had some kind of mental illness or a personality disorder. It would explain a few things.

That sounds a bit judgmental.
I have a few issues myself but I am confident that they will not interfere with my ability to be an ethical or effective counselor.

[Sweetpea The Tigress]

Geisterfahrer

Sweetpea The Tigress

Geisterfahrer

The topic if DID came up briefly in my Ethics in the counseling profession class yesterday. Strangely, the topic was not how to handle clients who have DID, but actually professionals who have DID. It was quite an interesting topic.

The main topic of discussion in our class was admittance to graduate school and what kind of screening graduate schools can do to keep people who are unfit to be counselors out of the program. The issue of whether people who are mentally ill are unfit to be counselors came up and we were debating it at length. Most people in the class believe that even those who are mentally ill can still be counselors as long as it doesn't impair their work.

One woman in the class shared that she knows a clinical social worker who has DID. For the most part, her DID does not impair her work. However, there was one time when the woman lost track of four days and her alters continued to see clients. Everyone in class was shocked, but my professor pointed out that it is quite possible that her alters were effective social workers too, depending on how much school they had attended with her.

My professor then shared that she actually attended graduate school with a woman who was diagnosed with DID during their graduate training program. The program attempted to kick the woman out of the program because of her DID, but the woman sued and was covered by the Americans with Disabilities act and allowed to return to the program and get her degree. She's now a licensed counselor with a private practice and does very well.

Well, in the addiction field, i know that alcoholics and drug addicts can become counselors after they get sober... I have often suspected that certain of the professionals I met had some kind of mental illness or a personality disorder. It would explain a few things.

That sounds a bit judgmental.
I have a few issues myself but I am confident that they will not interfere with my ability to be an ethical or effective counselor.

How perceptive of you! LOL!

Some counselors have done me ill, and I am still angry about it. A good counselor is a blessing; a bad one is a nightmare. Y'all have a lot of power... if you are inclined to misuse it, you can cause a lot of suffering for people. Being mentally ill makes one forever a child, in a sense. Being a child sucks, because you don't really have that many rights.

I worship the Lotus Feet of the PsyDoc and the therapist i have now; I'm afraid of getting too old to be allowed to continue to see them; or of them getting too old and retiring... I can be extremely difficult, especially when my mental illnesses are kicking up, and they are very patient and tolerant with me.

Everyone has issues... I don't expect y'all to be perfect. Aware of your issues and not inclined to cruelty is enough...
From talking to you, I think you'll be good.

[Jeorg]

Sweetpea The Tigress

Geisterfahrer

Sweetpea The Tigress

Geisterfahrer

The topic if DID came up briefly in my Ethics in the counseling profession class yesterday. Strangely, the topic was not how to handle clients who have DID, but actually professionals who have DID. It was quite an interesting topic.

The main topic of discussion in our class was admittance to graduate school and what kind of screening graduate schools can do to keep people who are unfit to be counselors out of the program. The issue of whether people who are mentally ill are unfit to be counselors came up and we were debating it at length. Most people in the class believe that even those who are mentally ill can still be counselors as long as it doesn't impair their work.

One woman in the class shared that she knows a clinical social worker who has DID. For the most part, her DID does not impair her work. However, there was one time when the woman lost track of four days and her alters continued to see clients. Everyone in class was shocked, but my professor pointed out that it is quite possible that her alters were effective social workers too, depending on how much school they had attended with her.

My professor then shared that she actually attended graduate school with a woman who was diagnosed with DID during their graduate training program. The program attempted to kick the woman out of the program because of her DID, but the woman sued and was covered by the Americans with Disabilities act and allowed to return to the program and get her degree. She's now a licensed counselor with a private practice and does very well.

Well, in the addiction field, i know that alcoholics and drug addicts can become counselors after they get sober... I have often suspected that certain of the professionals I met had some kind of mental illness or a personality disorder. It would explain a few things.

That sounds a bit judgmental.
I have a few issues myself but I am confident that they will not interfere with my ability to be an ethical or effective counselor.

How perceptive of you! LOL!

Some counselors have done me ill, and I am still angry about it. A good counselor is a blessing; a bad one is a nightmare. Y'all have a lot of power... if you are inclined to misuse it, you can cause a lot of suffering for people. Being mentally ill makes one forever a child, in a sense. Being a child sucks, because you don't really have that many rights.

I worship the Lotus Feet of the PsyDoc and the therapist i have now; I'm afraid of getting too old to be allowed to continue to see them; or of them getting too old and retiring... I can be extremely difficult, especially when my mental illnesses are kicking up, and they are very patient and tolerant with me.

Everyone has issues... I don't expect y'all to be perfect. Aware of your issues and not inclined to cruelty is enough...
From talking to you, I think you'll be good.

I am sorry for invading this conversation, I am fully aware of how inconsiderate it is, but... This conversation interests me.

As a side note, I doubt that the comment of Geisterfahrer's was not meant as perceptive so much as defensive, based on the context- or lack thereof. However... I applaud you for using it to your advantage.

I would warn you that it is hardly conceivable to blindly trust a therapist, but it appears that you have already fallen into the said trap. Please consider also examining your own actions before again blindly trusting that therapist to have done ill.

Congratulations with finding a therapist that fits well with yourself.

Again, though, I feel that you overestimate the accountability of the therapist and underestimate your own accountability. It would be wise of you to keep that in mind.

[Sweetpea The Tigress]

Jeorg

Sweetpea The Tigress

Geisterfahrer

w things.

That sounds a bit judgmental.
I have a few issues myself but I am confident that they will not interfere with my ability to be an ethical or effective counselor.

How perceptive of you! LOL!

Some counselors have done me ill, and I am still angry about it. A good counselor is a blessing; a bad one is a nightmare. Y'all have a lot of power... if you are inclined to misuse it, you can cause a lot of suffering for people. Being mentally ill makes one forever a child, in a sense. Being a child sucks, because you don't really have that many rights.

I worship the Lotus Feet of the PsyDoc and the therapist i have now; I'm afraid of getting too old to be allowed to continue to see them; or of them getting too old and retiring... I can be extremely difficult, especially when my mental illnesses are kicking up, and they are very patient and tolerant with me.

Everyone has issues... I don't expect y'all to be perfect. Aware of your issues and not inclined to cruelty is enough...
From talking to you, I think you'll be good.

I am sorry for invading this conversation, I am fully aware of how inconsiderate it is, but... This conversation interests me.

As a side note, I doubt that the comment of Geisterfahrer's was not meant as perceptive so much as defensive, based on the context- or lack thereof. However... I applaud you for using it to your advantage.

I would warn you that it is hardly conceivable to blindly trust a therapist, but it appears that you have already fallen into the said trap. Please consider also examining your own actions before again blindly trusting that therapist to have done ill.

Congratulations with finding a therapist that fits well with yourself.

Again, though, I feel that you overestimate the accountability of the therapist and underestimate your own accountability. It would be wise of you to keep that in mind.
LOL! I don't mind your entering the conversation; I'm fine with that. I was being mischeivious when I said she was perceptive- I know she was being defensive... that may be why I don't get along with adults/therapists/authority figures all the time- I tend to tease them when they show any weakness.

I don't think I do blindly trust my therapist- i just adore her... Some kind of transference/you're-my-mom thing? And I don't think that she would deliberately harm me. Accidently, yes, but when one works closely with another on emotional issues, its bound to happen... sad

[Geisterfahrer]

Jeorg

Sweetpea The Tigress

Geisterfahrer

Sweetpea The Tigress

Geisterfahrer

The topic if DID came up briefly in my Ethics in the counseling profession class yesterday. Strangely, the topic was not how to handle clients who have DID, but actually professionals who have DID. It was quite an interesting topic.

The main topic of discussion in our class was admittance to graduate school and what kind of screening graduate schools can do to keep people who are unfit to be counselors out of the program. The issue of whether people who are mentally ill are unfit to be counselors came up and we were debating it at length. Most people in the class believe that even those who are mentally ill can still be counselors as long as it doesn't impair their work.

One woman in the class shared that she knows a clinical social worker who has DID. For the most part, her DID does not impair her work. However, there was one time when the woman lost track of four days and her alters continued to see clients. Everyone in class was shocked, but my professor pointed out that it is quite possible that her alters were effective social workers too, depending on how much school they had attended with her.

My professor then shared that she actually attended graduate school with a woman who was diagnosed with DID during their graduate training program. The program attempted to kick the woman out of the program because of her DID, but the woman sued and was covered by the Americans with Disabilities act and allowed to return to the program and get her degree. She's now a licensed counselor with a private practice and does very well.

Well, in the addiction field, i know that alcoholics and drug addicts can become counselors after they get sober... I have often suspected that certain of the professionals I met had some kind of mental illness or a personality disorder. It would explain a few things.

That sounds a bit judgmental.
I have a few issues myself but I am confident that they will not interfere with my ability to be an ethical or effective counselor.

How perceptive of you! LOL!

Some counselors have done me ill, and I am still angry about it. A good counselor is a blessing; a bad one is a nightmare. Y'all have a lot of power... if you are inclined to misuse it, you can cause a lot of suffering for people. Being mentally ill makes one forever a child, in a sense. Being a child sucks, because you don't really have that many rights.

I worship the Lotus Feet of the PsyDoc and the therapist i have now; I'm afraid of getting too old to be allowed to continue to see them; or of them getting too old and retiring... I can be extremely difficult, especially when my mental illnesses are kicking up, and they are very patient and tolerant with me.

Everyone has issues... I don't expect y'all to be perfect. Aware of your issues and not inclined to cruelty is enough...
From talking to you, I think you'll be good.

I am sorry for invading this conversation, I am fully aware of how inconsiderate it is, but... This conversation interests me.

As a side note, I doubt that the comment of Geisterfahrer's was not meant as perceptive so much as defensive, based on the context- or lack thereof. However... I applaud you for using it to your advantage.

I would warn you that it is hardly conceivable to blindly trust a therapist, but it appears that you have already fallen into the said trap. Please consider also examining your own actions before again blindly trusting that therapist to have done ill.

Congratulations with finding a therapist that fits well with yourself.

Again, though, I feel that you overestimate the accountability of the therapist and underestimate your own accountability. It would be wise of you to keep that in mind.

My comment was neither perceptive or defensive. Her blatantly judgmental and portrayed counselors in a very negative light. I was pointing this out.

No one should ever blindly follow anyone in a position of power, and counselors certainly do have quite a bit of power. Everyone should become informed consumers of counseling, pay close attention to their informed consent forms, and ask frequent questions about the counseling process. It is extremely important that people become informed consumers and advocates for themselves in all fields of medicine.

[Teacup Chibi]

Geisterfahrer

Sweetpea The Tigress

Geisterfahrer

The topic if DID came up briefly in my Ethics in the counseling profession class yesterday. Strangely, the topic was not how to handle clients who have DID, but actually professionals who have DID. It was quite an interesting topic.

The main topic of discussion in our class was admittance to graduate school and what kind of screening graduate schools can do to keep people who are unfit to be counselors out of the program. The issue of whether people who are mentally ill are unfit to be counselors came up and we were debating it at length. Most people in the class believe that even those who are mentally ill can still be counselors as long as it doesn't impair their work.

One woman in the class shared that she knows a clinical social worker who has DID. For the most part, her DID does not impair her work. However, there was one time when the woman lost track of four days and her alters continued to see clients. Everyone in class was shocked, but my professor pointed out that it is quite possible that her alters were effective social workers too, depending on how much school they had attended with her.

My professor then shared that she actually attended graduate school with a woman who was diagnosed with DID during their graduate training program. The program attempted to kick the woman out of the program because of her DID, but the woman sued and was covered by the Americans with Disabilities act and allowed to return to the program and get her degree. She's now a licensed counselor with a private practice and does very well.

Well, in the addiction field, i know that alcoholics and drug addicts can become counselors after they get sober... I have often suspected that certain of the professionals I met had some kind of mental illness or a personality disorder. It would explain a few things.

That sounds a bit judgmental.
I have a few issues myself but I am confident that they will not interfere with my ability to be an ethical or effective counselor.

Some people are oddly enough better at things they do not have a particular interest in. I have found myself better with things I am not directly interested in. People have various reasons for becoming a psychologist or therapist. Some want to help people and have an empathic desire to nurture and understand other people. Some people are just interested in the human mind and are lead in that direction. People have various reasons for choosing a profession, and it does help people who have no way to get help with their lives.

[Geisterfahrer]

Sweetpea The Tigress

Geisterfahrer

Sweetpea The Tigress

Geisterfahrer

The topic if DID came up briefly in my Ethics in the counseling profession class yesterday. Strangely, the topic was not how to handle clients who have DID, but actually professionals who have DID. It was quite an interesting topic.

The main topic of discussion in our class was admittance to graduate school and what kind of screening graduate schools can do to keep people who are unfit to be counselors out of the program. The issue of whether people who are mentally ill are unfit to be counselors came up and we were debating it at length. Most people in the class believe that even those who are mentally ill can still be counselors as long as it doesn't impair their work.

One woman in the class shared that she knows a clinical social worker who has DID. For the most part, her DID does not impair her work. However, there was one time when the woman lost track of four days and her alters continued to see clients. Everyone in class was shocked, but my professor pointed out that it is quite possible that her alters were effective social workers too, depending on how much school they had attended with her.

My professor then shared that she actually attended graduate school with a woman who was diagnosed with DID during their graduate training program. The program attempted to kick the woman out of the program because of her DID, but the woman sued and was covered by the Americans with Disabilities act and allowed to return to the program and get her degree. She's now a licensed counselor with a private practice and does very well.

Well, in the addiction field, i know that alcoholics and drug addicts can become counselors after they get sober... I have often suspected that certain of the professionals I met had some kind of mental illness or a personality disorder. It would explain a few things.

That sounds a bit judgmental.
I have a few issues myself but I am confident that they will not interfere with my ability to be an ethical or effective counselor.

How perceptive of you! LOL!

Some counselors have done me ill, and I am still angry about it. A good counselor is a blessing; a bad one is a nightmare. Y'all have a lot of power... if you are inclined to misuse it, you can cause a lot of suffering for people. Being mentally ill makes one forever a child, in a sense. Being a child sucks, because you don't really have that many rights.

I worship the Lotus Feet of the PsyDoc and the therapist i have now; I'm afraid of getting too old to be allowed to continue to see them; or of them getting too old and retiring... I can be extremely difficult, especially when my mental illnesses are kicking up, and they are very patient and tolerant with me.

Everyone has issues... I don't expect y'all to be perfect. Aware of your issues and not inclined to cruelty is enough...
From talking to you, I think you'll be good.

You are very right about counselors having a lot of power. Sometimes I find myself intimidated by how much power I'm going to have. I'm actually a feminist theorist, and part of feminist perspective is paying very close attention to power differentials and doing every thing possible to minimize the imbalance of power. Feminist counselors go out of their way to give as much power back to their clients as possible and minimize their own power as much as possible. We try to make ourselves equals. We even set up our offices in ways that make us seem more like equals, even going as far as to discretely hide our diplomas and credentials unless state law requires us to display them. Power is a very important part of counseling and psychotherapy.

Someone with an inclination towards cruelty certainly wouldn't be allowed into a masters program, and if those issues showed themselves during the program, they wouldn't be allowed to complete their program. Although a person can not be denied their degree for simply having a mental illness, having certain character flaws or having a mental illness that causes impairment is enough reason to remove a student from a counseling program. For example, a graduate student would be removed from a counseling program if they were diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder.

If a counselor goes out into the world and hurts their clients, it's possible that those clients could then sue the University for giving them their degree in the first place, and no University wants that.

I honestly believe that 99.9% of counselors out there are really trying their hardest to do no harm and help people. Unfortunately, there's a whole lot to remember. Sometimes I'm really afraid that I'm going to make a mistake and hurt someone more than I help them. But what you said is really one of the main points, counselors being aware of their own issues and not inclined towards cruelty is one of the most important things. In my ethics class we talk about it over and over again. Awareness is the key.

[Sweetpea The Tigress]

Geisterfahrer

Sweetpea The Tigress

Geisterfahrer

Sweetpea The Tigress

Geisterfahrer

The topic if DID came up briefly in my Ethics in the counseling profession class yesterday. Strangely, the topic was not how to handle clients who have DID, but actually professionals who have DID. It was quite an interesting topic.

The main topic of discussion in our class was admittance to graduate school and what kind of screening graduate schools can do to keep people who are unfit to be counselors out of the program. The issue of whether people who are mentally ill are unfit to be counselors came up and we were debating it at length. Most people in the class believe that even those who are mentally ill can still be counselors as long as it doesn't impair their work.

One woman in the class shared that she knows a clinical social worker who has DID. For the most part, her DID does not impair her work. However, there was one time when the woman lost track of four days and her alters continued to see clients. Everyone in class was shocked, but my professor pointed out that it is quite possible that her alters were effective social workers too, depending on how much school they had attended with her.

My professor then shared that she actually attended graduate school with a woman who was diagnosed with DID during their graduate training program. The program attempted to kick the woman out of the program because of her DID, but the woman sued and was covered by the Americans with Disabilities act and allowed to return to the program and get her degree. She's now a licensed counselor with a private practice and does very well.

Well, in the addiction field, i know that alcoholics and drug addicts can become counselors after they get sober... I have often suspected that certain of the professionals I met had some kind of mental illness or a personality disorder. It would explain a few things.

That sounds a bit judgmental.
I have a few issues myself but I am confident that they will not interfere with my ability to be an ethical or effective counselor.

How perceptive of you! LOL!

Some counselors have done me ill, and I am still angry about it. A good counselor is a blessing; a bad one is a nightmare. Y'all have a lot of power... if you are inclined to misuse it, you can cause a lot of suffering for people. Being mentally ill makes one forever a child, in a sense. Being a child sucks, because you don't really have that many rights.

I worship the Lotus Feet of the PsyDoc and the therapist i have now; I'm afraid of getting too old to be allowed to continue to see them; or of them getting too old and retiring... I can be extremely difficult, especially when my mental illnesses are kicking up, and they are very patient and tolerant with me.

Everyone has issues... I don't expect y'all to be perfect. Aware of your issues and not inclined to cruelty is enough...
From talking to you, I think you'll be good.

You are very right about counselors having a lot of power. Sometimes I find myself intimidated by how much power I'm going to have. I'm actually a feminist theorist, and part of feminist perspective is paying very close attention to power differentials and doing every thing possible to minimize the imbalance of power. Feminist counselors go out of their way to give as much power back to their clients as possible and minimize their own power as much as possible. We try to make ourselves equals. We even set up our offices in ways that make us seem more like equals, even going as far as to discretely hide our diplomas and credentials unless state law requires us to display them. Power is a very important part of counseling and psychotherapy.

Someone with an inclination towards cruelty certainly wouldn't be allowed into a masters program, and if those issues showed themselves during the program, they wouldn't be allowed to complete their program. Although a person can not be denied their degree for simply having a mental illness, having certain character flaws or having a mental illness that causes impairment is enough reason to remove a student from a counseling program. For example, a graduate student would be removed from a counseling program if they were diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder.

If a counselor goes out into the world and hurts their clients, it's possible that those clients could then sue the University for giving them their degree in the first place, and no University wants that.

I honestly believe that 99.9% of counselors out there are really trying their hardest to do no harm and help people. Unfortunately, there's a whole lot to remember. Sometimes I'm really afraid that I'm going to make a mistake and hurt someone more than I help them. But what you said is really one of the main points, counselors being aware of their own issues and not inclined towards cruelty is one of the most important things. In my ethics class we talk about it over and over again. Awareness is the key.

What about clients that push your buttons? One of the things I seem to be good at is finding people's buttons... I don't do that any more, but you could come across a really annoying client.

[Sweetpea The Tigress]

Oh, and GF, I think some counsellors do it for the Power...

[Geisterfahrer]

Sweetpea The Tigress

What about clients that push your buttons? One of the things I seem to be good at is finding people's buttons... I don't do that any more, but you could come across a really annoying client.

If I had a client intentionally provoking me and trying to gain the upper hand, I would handle it differently depending on why they were doing it. A client with a history of being a victim of abuse may push buttons and try to gain control because feeling in control gives them a sense of safety. A client with antisocial personality disorder may simply push buttons because they crave power. A client who's resistant to treatment might push buttons in an attempt to disrupt the therapeutic process. I'd handle it differently in every situation.
Annoying clients happen. I'm not going to like every client.

[Geisterfahrer]

Sweetpea The Tigress

Oh, and GF, I think some counsellors do it for the Power...

Possibly, but their are much easier ways to get power, and the Graduate screening process is so extensive that I honestly think it would be very difficult for someone with such an issue to get through graduate school. I just have such a hard time imagining anyone even getting through my own undergraduate program with those kind of attitudes. We're so humanistic, though I suppose that could be because we have such amazing professors.

[Sweetpea The Tigress]

Geisterfahrer

Sweetpea The Tigress

What about clients that push your buttons? One of the things I seem to be good at is finding people's buttons... I don't do that any more, but you could come across a really annoying client.

If I had a client intentionally provoking me and trying to gain the upper hand, I would handle it differently depending on why they were doing it. A client with a history of being a victim of abuse may push buttons and try to gain control because feeling in control gives them a sense of safety. A client with antisocial personality disorder may simply push buttons because they crave power. A client who's resistant to treatment might push buttons in an attempt to disrupt the therapeutic process. I'd handle it differently in every situation.
Annoying clients happen. I'm not going to like every client.

Is it possible to work with clients you dislike and not do crap to them? I mean, its human nature.

[Geisterfahrer]

Sweetpea The Tigress

Geisterfahrer

Sweetpea The Tigress

What about clients that push your buttons? One of the things I seem to be good at is finding people's buttons... I don't do that any more, but you could come across a really annoying client.

If I had a client intentionally provoking me and trying to gain the upper hand, I would handle it differently depending on why they were doing it. A client with a history of being a victim of abuse may push buttons and try to gain control because feeling in control gives them a sense of safety. A client with antisocial personality disorder may simply push buttons because they crave power. A client who's resistant to treatment might push buttons in an attempt to disrupt the therapeutic process. I'd handle it differently in every situation.
Annoying clients happen. I'm not going to like every client.

Is it possible to work with clients you dislike and not do crap to them? I mean, its human nature.

Absolutely. We talk about it all the time. My professor talks about clients she just didn't like and how it was more difficult to connect with them. I can't imagine ever seriously wanting to do something vindictive to a client, no matter how much I disliked them.
If I was working with a client that I disliked so much that it was making it impossible to work with them, I would refer them to another counselor.