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“If a client says, “I’m not an alcoholic ,” I don’t care. If she tells me she drinks a bottle of wine a day (“for my nerves”), drives afterwards (“I’m very careful”), and claims she could “quit any time” (but never has), that’s plenty for me. I’m not going to worry about the label, because my concern is helping her as best as I can, and labels are often unnecessary for that. In mental health, with noted exceptions, therapy can be a great success even with an “incorrect” label , or none at all.” — David McPhee PhD
If a client says, “I’m not an alcoholic ,” I don’t care. If she tells me she drinks a bottle of wine a day (“for my nerves”), drives afterwards (“I’m very careful”), and claims she could “quit any time” (but never has), that’s plenty for me. I’m not going to worry about the label, because my concern is helping her as best as I can, and labels are often unnecessary for that. In mental health, with noted exceptions, therapy can be a great success even with an “incorrect” label , or none at all.