In my previous column I wrote about the challenges of mental health in Malaysia and recognising the importance of taking care of our psychological well-being.
This week, some readers got in touch to ask how they can check for legitimate service providers, with one describing a family member “who ended up paying thousands for a few quick sessions and some supplements”.
Sadly, it is the case that some unsavoury practitioners can and do exploit people. Thanks to marketing tricks and seemingly impressive titles, it’s understandable that the general public would take on faith the apparent good intentions of a minority who look to line their pockets.
Unfortunately, the current lack of robust legislation enables such people to continue their practice, and they often sound convincing enough that clients return for the same inadequate and expensive service.
Whether it’s seeking a therapist or training to become a counsellor or clinical psychologist, the first warning sign is when a centre or practitioner promises quick results. No legitimate mental health professional would ever imply or promise guaranteed results.
Good therapists rightly point out that effective therapy is done through an alliance between them and their client. If someone has issues that have festered for many years, it’s not realistic to expect the issue to be “solved” quickly.
Depending on the situation, it can take some time to unravel an issue, and it takes both the therapist’s expertise and the client’s own insights to do so. There’s no such thing as a quick fix.
Dr Alvin Ng, head of psychology at a local private university, advises that people check with the relevant bodies to ensure practitioners and courses are registered.
These bodies include Lembaga Kaunselor Malaysia (lkm.gov.my); the Malaysian Psychiatric Association (hati.my/malaysian-psychiatric-association); Malaysian Society of Clinical Psychology (mscp.my); Perkama International (Malaysian Counsellors Association at perkamainternational.org.my); and the Malaysian Marriage and Family Therapy Association (mymft.org.my).
Legitimate mental health providers will be able to show their qualifications or credentials if asked. It’s also a good idea to ask if they offer a free 15-minute consultation (usually over the phone or via video call) to get a sense of the person and whether they’re suitable for you.
In terms of being a good fit, they will be able to explain their therapeutic approach and how it can help your issue. A good therapist will also spend much of the time finding out about you and making sure all your questions are answered. On the other hand, questionable practitioners are likely to reel off their titles and achievements in order to convince you to confirm an appointment.
It’s important to keep in mind that, should you find that you don’t “click” with a therapist, it’s perfectly acceptable to look elsewhere. This is a normal occurrence – sometimes, you can see two or three therapists before finding someone who’s right for you. Remember, an ethical practitioner always has his or her clients’ well-being at heart. If you feel pressured or coerced into starting therapy, please think twice before accepting such a service.
Another thing to watch out for is practitioners who claim expertise in a long list of therapies, have a range of impressive-sounding positions, or centres that offer numerous courses but only have one main practitioner.
In Malaysia, anyone can set up an association so long as they follow the relevant procedures and have in place a “pro tem committee” (a short-term association committee) and signatories. This means that, tomorrow, anyone could register – and be listed as a president of – a mental health-related association, and then “certify” their own courses through that association, and the public are none the wiser.
Of course, there are lots of legitimate associations in Malaysia; the thing to remember is, if there’s a single person who heads a whole list of them, it’s wise to investigate further.
In Malaysia, the vast majority of mental health practitioners are ethical and have their clients’ best interests at heart. The people who use mental health as a means to maximise their own wealth are, thankfully, confined to a small minority.
As with any other professional service, it’s always advisable to check the legitimacy of mental health service providers, and the bodies mentioned earlier can advise you if you’re unsure. I’m also happy for readers to get in touch if they have any concerns and I can check on their behalf or point them in the right direction.
Taking care of our mental health should always be a priority, and the more conversations we have about it, the more we’ll all develop a deeper understanding of what good, ethical therapy looks like.
In the conversations I’ve had with several good therapists, they always put their clients first and recognise the privilege of helping others through their issues and struggles. Genuine practitioners are not only qualified and licensed but they also care deeply about providing quality services and focus solely on their clients’ needs rather than their own gain, financial or otherwise.
Sandy Clarke has long held an interest in emotions, mental health, mindfulness and meditation. He believes the more we understand ourselves and each other, the better societies we can create. If you have any questions or comments, email lifestyle@thestar.com.my. The views expressed here are entirely the writer’s own.
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