Could someone be addicted to counseling? If so, how would you treat them?

Question

doesnt make sense to me!

Answer 1

Addicted is not quite the right word. However people do become dependent on therapy and on particular therapists. They can be said to be using therapy for "maintenance" rather than for actually seeking a solution to their problems. A patient may find that his stress or anxiety is relieved by talking about the problem enough to allow him to function. He will then do nothing about the problem until the next time he feels overwhelmed by it. At that point he will return to the therapist, talk some more, feel better and so on. I have only done counseling in a limited capacity but I have encountered this situation. I finally had to set a limit and refer the client to someone else. I felt I was doing the client a disservice by allowing him to become comfortable with this pattern.