Why do psychologists give lousy and crappy advice?

Question

If I had a mental illness, I would rather suffer with it then see a psychologist. I don't see any logical reasoning for their advice.

Answer 1

some do but not all(hopefully)

and they get paid everytime you come back, what makes you think they will give you good advice.

Answer 2

because they don't practice giving advice

when you don't practice something, you're not very good at it

psychotherapy is about reflection - the psychologist tries to help you clarify your situation, so you can fix it

psychologists try to avoid giving advice

please note that nothing i said relates to psychiatry. psychiatry is a different kettle of fish where they might prescribe you drugs. i don't know about that, or much believe in it. i just got 92% for an assignment about the faults of a study about zoloft published in the journal of the american medical association. doesn't really paint a pretty picture about the state of drug research and those who prescribe them for psychotherapeutic purposes. i'd say, like the next answerer indicates, avoid drugs if you can. go to a psychologist for some counselling, and yeah, stay in touch with your family and friends about it too. psychologists adhere to the scientist-practitioner model (unlike doctors and psychiatrists) so you will generally find the know what they're talking about when they comment on research, and that their therapies are much more closely aligned with the latest advancements in research. that being said, the WAIS intelligence tests were based on an intelligence theory from the 1930s until the WAIS III was made in the early 00s... talk about a major research - practice lag! thank goodness it has been fixed, it makes intelligence testing far more effective and likely to assess your cognitive capacity correctly. might consider using the latest WJ test though, as that represents the theory even better. but that's off track!

Answer 3

I think some psychologists have spent so long in college being told "this is what's wrong in this case" etc. that when they actually get out into the real world, into practice, they lose the ability to truly listen. They seem to pick up on certain key words that fit a particular mould, and then issue they're advice based on text book answers.
There are still SOME out there however, that give practical advice and really do listen carefully and try to put themselves into your position to a certain extent, so as to issue the approriate advice.
Unfortunately, due to the fact that college professors tend to be full of their own importance, the latter of the two examples usually get lower marks and less kudos in college, simply because they dare to disagree with the enforced text book lessons. Therefore their credentials aren't always as 'impressive' as the first example and so, people are reluctant to use these 'free-thinking' practical psychologist and counsellors.

Answer 4

I'm getting my PhD in Counseling Psychology, and I'm sorry to hear you must have had a bad experience with a psychologist giving you bad advice. Like other posters said... you shouldn't be just getting advice from your psychologist. They are there to help you figure out what would be best for YOU, not tell you what to do. They may suggest things to try, and if they don't work, you need to tell them. They won't (or shouldn't be, anyway) be offended.

I would suggest trying different psychologists until you find one you like. Just like a regular medical doctor or hairstylist, you have to try different ones sometimes until you find one you feel comfortable with. Just because they have a degree doesn't mean your personality will 'click' with theirs. It's about finding a doctor who you feel comfortable with and who you feel really cares about helping you.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Not all psychologist give advice. A good psychologist will help the patient themselves find the answers.

Answer 6

Are you talking about clinical psychologists or guys like Dr. Phil?

If you had a real illness, your best bet is to seek professional help. Trust me, people with mental illness need help. If you've ever known someone with bipolar disorder, you'd know what I mean.

Answer 7

If you are receiving advice from a therapist of any kind, find another therapist. Therapists are not supposed to be giving advice, but rather assisting the client in reaching the client's goals. Therapy is supposed to be about what the client wants.

Answer 8

I agree... to an extent, I went to 1 when i was a teenager (my parents solution to my rebellion) and all she did was put me on a TON of medication and when it didnt help she uped my dosage until i ended up in the hospital. I quit seeing her immediately after that thankfully. Later on a few years later however I started feeling depressed and anxious and I talked to an excellent therapist and that did help me! however she referred me to anger management-which was a JOKE! I have met alot of doctors that in my opinion are QUACKS... If i knew someone with a mental illness I'd say talk to friends and family before and after seeing an kind of doctor... Someone who doesnt know you or anything about you may not have the answers you need to lifes problems!

Answer 9

truths are not necessarily "logical". Try a psychologist who is Jungian rather than Freudian. Far more holistic in my opinion.

Answer 10

"College educated idiots" Their degrees give them big heads 9 times out of 10. That's way too much school to be normal anymore.

Answer 11

they are trained to give lousy ,crappy advice so that you'll notice it and figure out your own problem!
How's that for logic?