Geraldine Merola Barton, Ph.D.

Clinical Psychologist

G. M. Barton, Ph.D. Home

About Dr. Barton

Video Conferencing

Articles by Dr. Barton:

How to Not Hate Your Body

Change Thru Psychotherapy

Couples:How to Criticize

Winter Blues: SAD

Focus On: Depression

Focus On: Anxiety

Core Values & Your Life

Stress Scale

True Beauty-Inner Light

Quick Facts

You Asked

I Hate Fiancee's Cats

Why a Psychologist?

Coping With Cancer

Am I an Alcoholic?

Disclose Mental Illness?

Telling All to Therapist

Teaching Kindness to Pets

ACOA

Interviews w Dr. Barton:

On Social Networking

He's Just Not Into You

On Eating Disorders

On Weight Loss

What is a Psychologist?

You Asked
  Q:  Do I have to tell my therapist everything about every issue? What if I don’t feel comfortable revealing some facts? Can I still effectively address surrounding issues?
 
A. The fact that you’re wondering whether to tell your therapist something is a clue it’s something your therapist needs to know!
 
It’s your therapist’s job to put together seemingly disparate pieces to a puzzle, in order to help you see connections and make healthy changes.  When you withhold pieces of the puzzle, you risk limiting the effectiveness of your therapy.

Think about your reasons for wanting to withhold information.  Is it shame about things you have done or experienced?  Do you have difficulty trusting the therapist?  Do you often withhold parts of yourself in relationships?  I encourage you to talk to your therapist about your hesitation to fully disclose.  A good therapist can help you resolve your difficulty.  The very act of exploring your reasons for wanting to withhold information can be an important part of a therapeutic process. 





Geraldine Merola Barton, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist

14603 Heubner Road, Building 6
San Antonio, TX 78230
210-722-9428
   
drgmbarton@drgmbarton.com
Licensed in New York and Texas

                                                                                                     
 
© 2001-2020, Geraldine Merola Barton, Ph.D.                                                      5/6/20