This man, while obviously incredibly well educated, seems to lack the ability to effectively communicate (which is an integral part of the job). I just came home from my third and last session with him, wherein he, for the second time, said something that rubbed me the wrong way. I tried to explain my feelings and why I was bothered by what he'd said. Once he had me in tears, he did ask me what he could do to rectify the situation. I told him I'd like an apology, and he said- with a sarcastic grin-, "You want me to apologize for THAT?" First off, why ask what you can do to make a situation better if you have no intention of doing anything to actually improve it? Secondly, his response shows a complete disregard for the patient's feelings, and an inability to take responsibility for his actions/words.
Furthermore, he told me that by becoming tearful and saying, "I'm feeling frustrated," I was "overreacting" to his comment. Patients frequently cry in therapy- they are in crisis. It is the clinician's job to help the patient effectively regulate their affect during times of distress. To tell a patient who is crying that they are "overreacting" is an abuse of power (key word being abuse), as that statement serves to minimimze and therefore invalidate the patient's feelings. Minimization is actually a cognitive distortion that many depressed patients do in their own narratives, and is therefore the OPPOSITE of therapeutic. His response was a nonconstructive, untherapeutic, and demeaning response to a patient in distress.
When I suggested we drop the subject and try to move on to something else, he agreed; however, while I paused to think of another topic, he brought up what we had just agreed to let go for the time being. Clearly, he wasn't able to let go of the topic and move on. However, the burden of working out the doctor's personal feelings are not on the patient in distress; the burden is on the doctor's OWN personal therapist, which all therapists are supposed to have in order for them to deal with the feelings brought up for them when they are the session facilitator. His insistance on continuing our conversation was grossly inappropriate, and perhaps a type of power-play (i.e. "We will discuss what I want to discuss when I want to discuss it and how I want to discuss it); it also seemed very belligerent, and conveyed a lack of respect for a boundary we had mutually set.
In addition, Dr. Bishara frequently spoke over me, preventing me from explaining or expressing myself. Again, I do not believe that this is a constructive way to communicate with ANYONE, but I find it even more offensive in a doctor/patient relationship.
In addition to his disrespectful approach, belligerance, irresponsibility and demeaning attitude, I have to point out something else of significance. The two reviewers who gave Dr. Bishara decent-glowing reviews were male, whereas the female review gave one star. Given that I am female and rated him at 1 star with many of the same gripes as Rachel A., I have to say that I find myself speculating that perhaps Dr. Bishara has a problem with women, in addition to his many other glaring defects.
In conclusion, I have to agree with much of Rachel A.'s assessment wherein she stated (I am going to paraphrase, here) that Dr. Bishara enjoys abusing his position of power. I also agree that he does not remember important things about his patients, and is more interested in & capable of helping with small day-to-day issues, i.e. filling out paperwork, writing doctor's notes for your employer... logistical issues, not psychological problems. He is incapable of listening well enough to make an accurate evaluation, is argumentative to the point of harrassment, and is unable to treat female clients. In short, George Bishara is incompetent. Seekers of cognitive behavioral therapists would do well to look elsewhere for help. read more