I have a question for you. I am working with a marriage/family therapist. At least 50% of the couples we see are having problems in part due to debt and money worries. We have a financial workbook we give them and try to teach some money management as well, all though it's not the main focus of counseling. My question is this: would it be unethical to teach these people some basic credit repair? Some of them have creditors or collection agencies calling them all the time and it's more stress on the marriage. Should I leave it alone or ask the therapist if we can do this? Thanks Doc Candi
Candi, forgive me if I say things you already know (as I surely will, and I realize that, but I'll overdo it with detail just in case something's new). Short answer: If you think some education regarding credit repair would benefit a client, you can bring it up with the therapist, but do it during patient review -- not when the patient is there. After that, of course, the therapist must remain the case supervisor and must retain credibility with clients in order to remain effective regarding the other issues being worked through, so accept the therapist's judgment regarding the issue thereafter. Something to remember: Every one of us sees the world through our own frame of reference. When I'm interested in hockey, it seems the world revolves around hockey. When it's credit repair, I'm finding credit repair problems wherever I look. Psychologists call this projection -- essentially the ability to project our own interests and concerns upon the rest of the world's blank screen. For that reason, it's important to bracket your own issues and involvements when dealing with counseling clients. Even though you're focusing on how credit repair would solve their problems, remember this: if they're sitting with a counselor on the verge of marital collapse, there are probably other underlying issues other than bad credit reports which got them there. You're right, though -- money issues can be pivotal. It's also correct to remember, though, that other things have also made it difficult for that couple to successfully navigate those money issues -- things like sexual issues, interpersonal incompatibilities, other family pressures, immaturity, narcissism, health matters, mental illness, alcoholism and other compulsive disorders, etc., etc., etc. Don't lose sight of the full menu of problems, some of them yet-to-be discussed and perhaps even unconscious, that brought these couples to a therapist. Doc
Doc, your right I guess I'm projecting. I must be addicted. Thanks for the bump anyway mindcrime. Candi
Well, Candi, I'm not saying you are projecting. I'm saying it's important to bracket ones current interests to prevent projection. One way to handle this would be to discuss the issue with the therapist during patient review. Doc
Well, Doc I can understand why you came up with the TRICK so recently.... Its the Stanley Cup Playoffs bringing to the surface latent aggressive desires... This in turn led to the creation of DOC's TRICK as a response to past repressed angry feelings to Experian...
I've only been married for 2 years (May 27th will be year #2). Right after we got married we had A LOT of problems, initially we thought it was us not liking each other. After learning about credit/repair/negotiating credit terms etc., hubby and I are soooooo much happier. Fights are few and far between and it's usually about laundry or grocery shopping. The funny thing is, the couples I know that constantly argue have MANY credit problems. The other that don't fight don't have credit problems at all, and like us argue about the housework (my parents are perfect examples). It's an interesting subject, and I truly believe that if I didn't get control of my finances and credit, I would have lost my marriage.
