Ask A Psychologist: What is the most dangerous misconception about therapy?
All psyched up
With mental health issues on the rise, especially depression and anxiety, the role of counsellors, psychologists, and mental health professionals has never been more vital. But have you ever wondered what it must be like for a psychologist to see patient after patient with a diverse range of issues? How would a psychologist cope with the mental burden of others, let alone their own?
To answer these burning questions and more, we speak to Amanda Xavier, a licensed clinical psychologist, about her day-to-day life, as well as the challenges and misconceptions of her job.
Tell us what you do as a mental health professional/therapist.
The main portion of my work is providing mental health intervention techniques through individual therapy sessions with my clients. Currently, I’m working remotely so all my sessions are online. I also attend regular training and workshops to increase my skills as a therapist, such as a recent one I went to for Acceptance and Commitment-based Therapy (ACT) and another one I’ll be going to soon to train in Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)!
I also work as a digital health coach, where I provide mental health coaching through an online text-based platform, and I carry out webinars and workshops for many different topics in mental health. As I’ve opened an online therapy centre called Minda Psychology Services with my business partner and fellow clinical psychologist, Diana, a chunk of my time goes to managing this as well.
What inspired you to pursue psychology as your career path?
I was always curious about how people think and why they behave the way they do. Although a lot of my educational pathways were not made by thinking too far about my career, I was able to get on my current path after working as a social worker at Dignity for Children Foundation. I worked with a clinical psychologist there and was introduced to how therapy and clinical interventions can help those who are struggling and living with mental health disorders. Although it was late, my first intentional and purposeful choice in education was to pursue a Masters in Clinical Psychology, so that I could become a clinical psychologist or therapist. It’s definitely my passion!
@amondexvr Reply to @yasminqistinalim there are pros and cons, but generally a versatile degree and you learn a lot! #malaysiantherapist #mentalhealthmatters original sound – Amanda – Amanda (Humor Coping™)
What type/approach of mental health treatments and services do you provide?
I mainly provide individual therapy sessions for adults, due to the platform I’ve chosen. I have experience with couple therapy, but it’s not easy to provide that through video calls. I take an eclectic, person-centred approach, which means that I put my clients’ needs, goals, and knowledge about themselves as the priority, and use techniques from other therapy approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), ACT, DBT, and more based on what I deem most helpful to my clients.
Describe what a typical work day looks like for you.
There really isn’t a typical work day, but the most regular routine would be any number of sessions per day, and after each, I take some time to write case notes for each session to be stored in a confidential space. It really depends on how many sessions I have in a day, it could be a maximum of four or even zero, which gives me a great rest day!
After work, I usually would spend some time reviewing my schedule for the week, to prepare for other upcoming sessions, or I would pursue some creative activities such as creating posts for my mental health Instagram accounts.
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What is the biggest challenge you have faced as a therapist, especially during the pandemic?
All of a sudden, there was a surge of clients. So many more people were facing mental and emotional difficulties because of the pandemic. This was a difficult period because when we take on so many clients at once, we start to neglect our own mental health. The first few months of the pandemic were the most difficult—while I was helping others with their burnout, I started to develop burnout symptoms myself. I had to take a break to rest and start my own counseling sessions, which have been helping until now.
In your opinion, what is the most dangerous misconception about therapy?
The most dangerous one is that there is something wrong with you if you need therapy. It’s time to look at therapy or mental health support as a necessary part of healthcare, not as a peripheral service only for ‘crazy people’. This sentiment pushes more and more people away from seeking help, which in turn, decreases the number of people who are able to cope effectively with their symptoms and challenges. In the end, it creates a huge gap that no one is willing to cross to receive the help and support that they should be receiving.
@amondexvr deciphering hidden messages: are you like most who think this way, or are you enlightened? #malaysiantherapist #mentalhealthmatters #fyp Follow my Instagram Jason_m_100 – JAY2GOATED
Have you ever faced burnout from your job? If so, how do you cope with it?
Yes, definitely! In my profession, burnout usually comes from both compassion and emotional fatigue. Providing the resources and support in a therapeutic setting depletes our energy levels in general, and when we go above and beyond to provide that service to our clients despite how exhausted we are, this leads to burnout.
I have a long list of self-care activities including roller skating, crocheting, reading, and playing video games, and I talk extensively to friends and family. I also go for regular counseling sessions for myself, just to unload and express what I’ve been struggling with. This helps keep me in check, along with taking enough breaks regularly, too.
What do you find most fulfilling about your job?
Showing my clients and people in general, such as my audience on Instagram or TikTok, that mental health is accessible, and therapy actually does help. It feels so fulfilling to help someone get back on track with their lives and learn to be a healthier, happier version of themselves. Learning and applying well-researched therapy approaches get me closer to providing what my clients need through their sessions with me, which also feels amazing!
Find more mental health content on Amanda’s Instagram @pocketofcare and TikTok @amondexvr. Visit Minda Psychology’s website and Instagram for other mental health services.
Read more stories from our Ask A __ series here.
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