Being in treatment for mental or emotional problems can be a real dilemma. You have to trust the professional to exercise expertise and ethical behaviors.
You trust the professional to care of your health or for the health of your child or loved one.
Unfortunately, not every professional is ethical and not every professional is an expert. Mistakes happen. People get hurt.
This is a difficult area for me to work in but I think it is absolutely critical. Mental health workers are fallible people. I have made some mistakes, especially when I was new to the profession. Mistakes are being made daily in the field. There is a solution.
Get a second opinion.
Before you risk your life or the life of someone you care about--
Before you throw away a lot of time and money--
Before you or a loved one are irreparably harmed--
Get a second opinion.
If...
...you think your helping professional is incompetent or unethical
...you think a family member or a loved one is getting improper treatment
...you feel confused, hurt, worried, or scared about your treatment
...your family member or friend is going down the tubes despite therapy (or perhaps because of therapy).
Get a second opinion.
Fast, confidential, expert, objective, ethical, licensed: what more do you need?
Do I need to say it again? Get a second opinion!
How to get a second opinion -- see my How It Works page.