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Laura, Deryk and Megan...and Freud

I have great respect for real psychotherapists..i have no respect for phonies who tarnish the good name of the helping profession by practicing "pop" psychology; Is Dr. Laura a licensed Psychotherapist, MFCC, MFT? or an insecure egomaniac? or a marketing genius? Let's find out...

No person may engage in the practice of marriage and family therapy as defined by Section 4980.02, unless he or she holds a valid license as a marriage and family therapist, or unless he or she is specifically exempted from that requirement, nor may any person advertise himself or herself as performing the services of a marriage, family, child, domestic, or marital consultant, or in any way use these or any similar titles, including the letters “M.F.T.” or “M.F.C.C.,” or other name, word initial, or symbol in connection with or following his or her name to imply that he or she performs these services without a license as provided by this chapter. Persons licensed under Article 4 (commencing with Section 4996) of Chapter 14 of Division 2, or under Chapter 6.6 (commencing with Section 2900) may engage in such practice or advertise that they practice marriage and family therapy but may not advertise that they hold the marriage and family therapist’s license..."

Three Misconceptions About Psychologists
Part 3 - Not All Psychologists Are Like Dr. Laura!
by Debra Moore, Ph.D.

This is the third in a series of articles in which I'm dispelling some prevalent myths about psychologists. I've already talked about the fact that all types of folks come to counseling and the only thing they have in common is the goal of improving the quality of their lives. Consumers of psychological services are no different than anyone else, except that they are open to taking a brave, honest look at their lives.

I also described how psychologists do so much more than passively listen. I even suggested that if you have a counselor who is the silent, non responsive type, you might want to ask yourself if you are getting all you deserve out of your therapy.

Today, let's talk about the other extreme. The therapist who thinks they have all the answers. The one who straight up tells you what to do. Recently an acquaintance, who was in a serious relationship with a woman who had children from a previous marriage, was telling me how difficult this new role was for him. He was clearly struggling. Yet he wouldn't consider talking with a counselor.

"I don't want someone telling me what to do. In fact, I don't understand how people can stand to have a stranger tell them what they're doing wrong." Wow! What an eye opener for me! Of course he wouldn't go to a therapist if that's what he thought we did - I wouldn't either!

When I told him that's not at all what a good therapist does, he said "Well, Dr. Laura sure does!" Hmm.....Well, yes, she does.

But did you know that Dr. Laura is not a psychologist? And while I do agree with some of her perspectives, what she does is not at all what a good therapist does. Dr. Laura is like Dear Abby. She gives advice according to her own personal values.

I've always found that advice comes cheap. Anyone will give it away. If you want advice, talk to a friend or relative. In fact, they'll give it to you even if you don't ask for it. Or don't want it.

Therapy is not advice! While I sympathize with Dr. Laura's apparent desire for a simple world where we all agree on what's right and wrong, and where everything is either black or white, it's not reality. Life has many shades of gray and people are complex creatures. They deserve respect that goes deeper than sound bite admonitions.

So, don't worry. A good therapist won't tell you what to do. They will help you come to your own decisions based on your own very individual situation. They will help you understand your motives, help clarify your thinking, and assist you in developing the skills necessary to carry through with whatever choices you do make. If needed, they will help you find your way clear of depression or worry or grief. But they won't tell you to "get over it". They will help get you through it.

Milblogs in the News: Dr. Laura son linked to lurid Web page

	present editor Armstrong busted for drunk driving in violation of the stated News-Press policy of drug screening and just plain common sense..and what does Wendy do? PROMOTES HIM! Acting publisher of the Santa Barbara, California News-Press, Travis Armstrong, for failing to pour on the alcoholic charm required to keep almost a dozen reporters, including seven out of the paper’s top eight editors, from walking out after managing to silence a story on his arrest for driving drunk the wrong way down a one-way street. His Blood Alcohol Level was .23 per cent, which requires the equivalent of 15 shots of 80-proof liquor in a period of four hours for a 200-pound person. Co-Dependent of the Month: Mrs. Wendy McCaw, owner of the Santa Barbara News-Press, for having named and stood behind Travis Armstrong as acting publisher of the paper despite his DUI and serious problems with staff. As noted in the “under watch” section, she supported the squelching of a story on Armstrong’s guilty plea and four-day jail stint. At best, she’s an extreme codependent. Doug Thorburn
	management lying to a judge on labor issues
	management breaking labor laws
	management filing frivolous lawsuits to waste time
	management accusing former editor of having child porn
	Etc......................

Minnesota Chippewa Tribe

Passport Files of 3 Candidates Breached, Officials Say

Passportgate

Marines Press to Remove Their Forces From Iraq

The Bush/GOP War on Veterans

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