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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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» How can I be certain or the confidentiality of my visit?
Confidentiality in clinical psychology is not a matter of trusting that one can keep a secret, but rather one of the most central aspects of clinical practice. Thus, rules around confidentiality are explicit in the psychologists' code of ethics. Clients' files and all related information are kept at our office in a locked metal cabinet and a locked, separate file room. Computer files are password - protected. The psychologist is not permitted to discuss the client's visit with any other individual without written consent from the client. She is not permitted to reveal her professional identity over the phone without client permission, or to acknowledge acquaintance with the client in any setting besides the office. Further, patient appointments are made with a minimum of a 15' interval between appointments in order to secure as little interaction with others during the client's visit as possible.
» What is the most appropriate time to visit a psychologist?
If you have been referred by your attending physician, then it is most likely that he or she judges that you will benefit from these services. Otherwise, if you are wondering whether you are in need of services while reading this information on your own initiative, or others have suggested that you pursue psychological services, it is most likely that now is a good time to contact us for further information. It is more common for individuals in need of services to be hesitant to pursue such services than vice versa. People often pursue psychological services when they are (a) experiencing emotions, thoughts, behaviors, or have memories that interfere with their ability to enjoy life at its fullest or even function on a daily basis, (b) going through a critical phase of their life (e.g. a divorce, or loss), or (c) are facing an important life decision and feel at a loss regarding the direction they should take.
» How many visits will be required before I notice a difference?
The number of visits varies significantly ranging from a couple sessions to weekly visits for over a year, depending on the severity of the problem. For example, individuals who have been the victims of long-term violence will need more sessions than individuals going through a smoking cessation program. Counseling usually requires a minimum of 2-3 sessions. In the case of psychotherapy however, research suggest that the average number of sessions in order to see results ranges from 20 to 45. In most cased, the psychologist, given her experience, can provide an approximate estimate on the number of sessions required in order for the client to reach his/her goals. Estimates of the number of required sessions however should always be shared with caution, and decisions regarding the duration of the psychotherapeutic process should be made in collaboration with the client.
» Can serious mental health problems like severe depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder be cured? What can a psychologist offer people with such diagnoses?
It is important to overcome the myth that receiving a diagnosis for a psychotic or severe mood disorder equals a death penalty for the individual in terms of occupation or interpersonal relationships. Individuals with such mental health disorders, regardless of severity, can live with their diagnosis in the same way they would live with a chronic illness. However, there is always an adjustment period during which the individuals become familiar with the processes of their illness, try various treatments in order to decide which is most suitable for them, and learn to recognize signs of oncoming exacerbations. Recently in the U.S., a large emphasis is placed on the process of "recovery," a model of thought that suggests that with sufficient support from family and peers, appropriate treatment, and physician-patient collaboration, individuals with serious mental health diagnoses can function within society on both an occupation and interpersonal level.
» What are the necessary qualifications of a psychologist?
In Greece, although psychologists have formed professional organizations, there is no official psychology association or board that certifies a minimum level of qualifications for practice. The Greek professional license that grants permission to practice psychology in any field, including clinical psychology, is granted to all individuals who have graduated from a psychology program with a bachelor's degree, a criterion that is extremely low given the limited knowledge and complete lack of clinical experience offered at that level. To attempt a comparison, requirements to become a licensed psychologist in the U.S. include receiving a Ph.D. from an APA-accredited clinical or counseling psychology program (including a 12 month long clinical internship), a 1 or 2-year post doc with a minimum number of supervised clinical experience (the exact number of hours required varies from one State to another), and successful performance on a licensing exam. Further, psychologists are required to gather a certain number of continuous education credits each year in order to maintain their license.
The most important qualification in clinical psychology and all subfields is the large number of supervised clinical hours and clinical experience. This is not always offered at the Master's or even Ph.D. level, as many graduate programs in Greece and Europe focus on coursework and research and do not include a clinical component in their program of studies. It is also important that the psychologist practices within his or her area of expertise. In Greece, it is often the case that psychologists advertise as qualifications their participation in national or international professional organizations or online listservs, the requirements for participation in which are low, and open to many in the field, and do not necessarily certify any kind of clinical or professional expertise.
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