What makes a good therapist? Education, credentials, and specialized training matter—but another important quality can be much harder to identify on a résumé: clinical humility. In this conversation, Mandy Friedman, LPCC-S, CCTP-II and Amy Jones, CT discuss clinical humility and why it matters when choosing a medical or behavioral health professional. For survivors of narcissistic abuse, coercive control, and other forms of trauma, this quality can be particularly meaningful when establishing a safe and effective therapeutic relationship. Clinical humility recognizes that professional training and expertise do not mean a clinician knows everything. A practitioner can bring clinical knowledge to the relationship while remaining curious, open to new information, willing to learn, and respectful of the client's expertise in their own lived experience. For survivors who may have experienced relationships in which their perceptions were repeatedly questioned, dismissed, minimized, or overridden, working with a professional who approaches treatment collaboratively rather than from a position of absolute authority can be especially important. In this video, we discuss: What clinical humility meansWhy professional expertise and humility can—and should—exist togetherThe importance of a clinician being willing to say, “I don't know”Being open to learning and seeking additional informationListening to and respecting a client's lived experienceThe difference between providing professional guidance and assuming the clinician always knows bestWhy curiosity and open-mindedness matter in clinical relationshipsThe importance of collaboration between the practitioner and clientWhy clinical humility can be particularly important when treating survivors of narcissistic abuse and coercive controlWhat to look for when deciding whether a therapist or other healthcare professional is a good fitA strong clinician does not need to have every answer. Sometimes an important indicator of competence is recognizing the limits of one's knowledge, remaining curious, seeking additional education or consultation when appropriate, and being willing to learn from the person sitting across from them. Mandy Friedman, LPCC-S, CCTP-IIFounder, Clermont Mental HealthCreator of SNAP — Survivors of Narcissistic & Abusive Personalities📧 mandy@clermontmentalhealth.care📞 513-655-6101 Amy Jones, CTClermont Mental Health📧 amy.jones.cmh@gmail.com📞 513-580-7342 Clermont Mental Health🌐 https://clermontmentalhealth.care SNAP — Survivors of Narcissistic & Abusive Personalities Created by Mandy Friedman, SNAP provides education and resources designed to help survivors better understand narcissistic and abusive relationship dynamics and support the recovery process. 🎓 SNAP Online Course on Udemy:https://www.udemy.com/course/snap-survivors-of-narcissistic-abusive-personalities/?referralCode=26E7039447999C01307B Survivors of Narcissistic Abuse Group (SNAG) A survivor support group facilitated by Michelle Minette in the Cincinnati area. 🔗 Learn more about SNAG:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/groups/surviving-narcissistic-abuse-group-snag-cincinnati-oh/287406 This video is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for individualized mental health treatment, diagnosis, medical care, or crisis services. Watching this video, commenting on it, or contacting the presenters does not by itself establish a therapist-client relationship. If you are seeking mental health treatment, consider consulting with a qualified mental health professional who can assess your individual circumstances and treatment needs. Subscribe to SNAP for more conversations about finding the right therapist, narcissistic abuse, coercive control, complex trauma, emotional abuse, trauma recovery, boundaries, relationships, and rebuilding your sense of self after abuse. #Therapy #NarcissisticAbuse #NarcissisticAbuseRecovery#CoerciveControl #MentalHealth
