How to Have a Successful Counseling Experience.
Dr. Burkham's Therapy Learning Center is designed to help those seeking mental health therapy make more informed decisions about therapy and the selection of a therapist. The Therapy Learning Center focuses on 5 key areas that empower you with the knowledge to heal.
Here are some original writings by Dr. Burkham designed to help you get what you need in therapy:
- What Makes Therapy Really Helpful to You? (New!) - If you are in Therapy or considering Therapy, this will address some key questions regarding the benefits of Therapy.
- Myths About Therapy - Myths are often partial truths and these commonly held beliefs are no exceptions. There are some common myths about mental health therapy that if understood, can help make mental health therapy are more lasting and rewarding experience.
- Common Problems that Lead to Therapy - The purpose of problems and pain in our life is to promote healing and growth. There are many types of problems that can bring you to the point where you seek out the help of a therapist who can help you use your pain to stimulate growth in your life.
- How You Can Make Lasting Changes - Much of therapy is focused on getting rid of your symptoms, a very important goal. Many symptoms are generated or at least made worse by problems in the way you connect with others. Becoming more mature or "differentiated" will not only relieve your symptoms but will prevent those symptoms from returning and will make your life more rewarding.
- The Therapy Triangle - When two people are in conflict, at least one of them will seek out a third party to gain the comfort and support of an ally. A frustrated wife seeks out the support of friends and family, a nation at war forms alliances, and an employee who can't stand her boss complains to her co-workers. This natural human process causes three-sided webs of relationships to be formed called "emotional triangles". Psychotherapy is not fundamentally different: the client is in conflict with someone close to them (usually a family member) and they are seeking an ally in the struggle with that person. In this way, the "therapy triangle" forms between the client, their family member, and the therapist.
- Case Studies - I have provided two case examples to illustrate how the therapy triangle can work to promote healing and growth for the client. These case examples are available in free, printable format:
- Nora and Quinn - Nora is a highly anxious 45 year-old woman who is struggling with her asthmatic 18 year-old son who refuses to take care of himself and is leaving soon for college. Nora seeks out the help of Dr. Susan Kleinfelter whom she believes will help her make Quinn take more responsibility for himself. As the therapy triangle unfolds, Nora learns to handle herself differently with benefits for herself and for her son.
- Melanie and Lyle - Melanie is a 28 year-old suicidal woman who comes to see me after being discharged from a psychiatric hospital. She is strongly attached to her abusive boyfriend Lyle who puts her down whenever she begins to feel better about herself. Although I never meet Lyle, a strong triangle is formed which leads to Melanie getting strong enough to cut off from Lyle and to deal more maturely with her depressed and alcoholic parents.
- Related Links
- www.aboutpsychotherapy.com
A straightforward explanation of psychotherapy for the lay person by NY psychologist Ben Pologe.
- www.apa.org
Important information for the non-psychologist from the American Psychological Association.
- www.nimh.nih.gov
Up to date information about a whole variety of mental health diagnoses and treatments from the National Institute of Mental Health.
- www.grohol.com
A comprehensive compilation of mental health resources.
- www.thebowencenter.org
An introduction to the theory underlying much of what I have written: Murray Bowen's natural systems theory.
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