HIMPower Magazine HimPower July 2018 | Page 24

tion. On the other hand, because of their training, psychologists typically use a wider range of therapeutic techniques and have a deeper knowledge of the process of thera- peutic change. I train my doctoral students to be proficient in all of the major thera- peutic orientations which gives them options to treat their clients. Question: Exactly what is meant by the term therapy and more specifically, psychotherapy? Dr. Ridley: The terms therapy, psycho- therapy, and even psychological counseling mean essentially the same thing. While some professionals make a distinction between these terms, the purpose of this profes- sional service is to help people overcome problems that keep them in an emotional rut and live more effectively. Living more effectively means handling their painful emotions, making better lifestyle decisions, and managing their personal problems. As you would say, Dr. Shaw, they should make better decisions within the choices they have. Question: If a person has never sought the professional services of a psycholo- gist or other mental health professional, what should he/she expect in a first-time encounter? In other words, how can Chris- tians encourage each other to be comfort- able with seeking mental health services? 24  HimPower July 2018 Dr. Ridley: The typical first encounter is an intake interview. Here the professional tries to get an overview of the clients’ back- ground, an understanding of the presenting complaints that led them to therapy, as well as provide an explanation of the therapy process and ethical and legal requirements. Question: How long does therapy or counseling continue after the first session? Dr. Ridley: The length of therapy depends on the needs of clients. One size does not fit all. Some clients require several sessions. Others can be in therapy months or years. I have a client right now whose wife committed suicide last year. He is expe- riencing what we technically call compli- cated grief. You would be surprised about the many issues the suicide congers up in his life. Our sessions are intense. He has been my client for months, and I anticipate seeing him for many months to come. Question: In your opinion, what percep- tions do Christians have about mental health and/or mental well-being that may prevent them from seeking mental health, emotional, or psychological support? Dr. Ridley: I supervise psychology students in our community clinic who see 40-50 clients weekly. I also see several clients weekly in a private practice. These experi- ences provide a context for my answer to