After working as a therapist for a number of years, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking there’s no case that’s too difficult for you to handle. You’ve helped dozens of clients navigate through a whole host of issues, so clearly you’ve discovered the formulas that work.
But, inevitably, we all eventually face a client who challenges us. Maybe the therapy isn’t moving along at the pace it should, or maybe the client isn’t opening up like they need to, but when you hit the wall of a therapy stalemate, it can make even the most seasoned of therapists feel shaken and unsure of themselves.
In this clip Janina Fisher talks about how years of experience do not guarantee easy clients and how she reacts when faced with a challenging case.
Rich Simon
Richard Simon, PhD, founded Psychotherapy Networker and served as the editor for more than 40 years. He received every major magazine industry honor, including the National Magazine Award. Rich passed away November 2020, and we honor his memory and contributions to the field every day.
Janina Fisher
Janina Fisher, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and a former instructor, Harvard Medical School. An international expert on the treatment of trauma, she is an Executive Board member of the Trauma Research Foundation and a Patron of the John Bowlby Centre. Dr. Fisher is the author of Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors: Overcoming Self-Alienation (2017), Transforming the Living Legacy of Trauma: a Workbook for Survivors and Therapists (2021), The Living Legacy Instructional Flip Chart (2022), and Embracing Our Fragmented Selves: a Workbook for Trauma Survivors and Therapists, as well as numerous peer-reviewed journal articles. Her treatment model, Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST), is now being taught around the world. More information can be found on her website: www.janinafisher.com.
