How a Scam Victim Can Evaluate the Effectiveness of Therapy in Their Recovery & Psychology

Helping Scam Victims Understand What a Therapist Can Do and if it is Effective in Supporting Them!

Principal Category: Scam Victim Recovery Psychology

Author:
•  Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Psychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

Abstract

Victims of relationship scams can experience deep trauma, and determining the effectiveness of therapy is essential for their recovery. Signs of successful therapy include improvements in emotional regulation, such as reduced anxiety, fear, and anger, and a decrease in PTSD symptoms like flashbacks and hypervigilance. Additionally, victims may notice an increase in self-esteem and confidence, which can be reflected in their willingness to engage in new social interactions or pursue personal goals. Better functioning in daily life, such as consistent sleep patterns, healthier eating habits, and increased motivation, also indicates progress. The development of healthy coping mechanisms, such as mindfulness and relaxation techniques, and the ability to maintain open, honest communication with the therapist are crucial markers of success. While recovery may not always be straightforward, these indicators can help victims evaluate whether their therapy is effective and aiding them in regaining control over their lives.

How a Scam Victim Can Evaluate the Effectiveness of Therapy in Their Recovery

Make sure that you have also read our other articles about Therapy and Therapists:

1. Why Do You Need A Therapist? What Relationship Scams Do To Scam Victims Psychologically
2. The Role Of A Therapist In Helping Scam Victims To Recover
3. Choosing A Therapist For Scam Victims
4. Visiting A Therapist For The First Time For Scam Victims

Introduction

Being a victim of a relationship scam can leave deep emotional and psychological scars. The betrayal and manipulation involved in such scams often lead to profound trauma, making recovery a challenging and delicate process. Therapy is a necessary component in the healing journey, but it can be difficult to gauge its effectiveness.

This article outlines how scam victims can assess whether their therapy is helping them recover and provides indicators of success or areas needing further attention.

Therapy Evaluation

Improved Emotional Regulation

Indicators of Success: One of the primary signs of effective therapy is better emotional regulation. Victims might find that they are less prone to emotional trigger responses, such as crying or anger, and can manage their emotions more calmly. They may also notice a reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

Therapy questions to help evaluate therapy progress in terms of improved emotional regulation:

• • Emotional Control: Do I feel more in control of my emotions?
  • Intensity: Has the intensity and frequency of negative emotions decreased?
  • Mood Stability: Have you noticed fewer mood swings or a more consistent mood over time?
  • Trigger Management: Are you better able to identify and manage triggers that previously led to emotional distress?
  • Impulse Control: Do you find it easier to pause and think before reacting to stressful situations?
  • Emotional Awareness: Have you become more aware of your emotional responses and the underlying reasons for them?
  • Stress Tolerance: Do you feel more capable of handling stress without becoming overwhelmed?
  • Expression of Emotions: Are you more comfortable expressing your emotions in healthy and constructive ways?
  • Reduced Emotional Numbing: Have you noticed a decrease in emotional numbness or a greater range of felt emotions?
  • Resilience to Setbacks: Are you better at bouncing back from setbacks without prolonged emotional distress?
  • Decreased Avoidance: Have you become less inclined to avoid situations or feelings that are uncomfortable or painful?
  • Self-Compassion: Are you treating yourself with more kindness and understanding during emotionally challenging times?

These questions can help gauge progress in emotional regulation and provide a more comprehensive assessment of therapy effectiveness.

Reduction in Trauma/PTSD Symptoms

Indicators of Success: Scams, particularly those involving relationships, can result in symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts. Effective therapy should help reduce these symptoms over time.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

Therapy evaluation questions to assess the reduction in trauma/PTSD symptoms:

• • Nightmares and Flashbacks: Have the frequency or intensity of nightmares or flashbacks decreased?
  • Avoidance Behaviors: Are you less likely to avoid places, people, or activities that remind you of the trauma?
  • Hyperarousal: Have you noticed a reduction in hyperarousal symptoms, such as being easily startled or feeling constantly on edge?
  • Intrusive Thoughts: Are intrusive thoughts about the traumatic event occurring less often?
  • Emotional Distress: Is there a decrease in emotional distress when recalling the traumatic event?
  • Negative Beliefs: Have negative beliefs about yourself or the world, often resulting from trauma, begun to shift or lessen?
  • Emotional Numbing: Have you experienced a reduction in emotional numbness or a greater range of emotional responses?
  • Memory and Concentration: Have you noticed improvements in memory or concentration, which can be affected by trauma?
  • Physical Symptoms: Have physical symptoms related to trauma, such as headaches, stomachaches, or muscle tension, decreased?
  • Self-Perception: Has your sense of self-worth or identity improved, with a reduction in feelings of shame or guilt associated with the trauma?
  • Reactivity to Triggers: Are you better able to manage your reactions to triggers without experiencing severe anxiety or panic?
  • Reduction in Dissociation: Have you noticed a decrease in episodes of dissociation or feeling disconnected from reality?

These questions can help provide a comprehensive view of how well therapy is addressing the symptoms of trauma and PTSD.

Enhanced Self-Esteem and Self-Worth

Indicators of Success: Being scammed can severely damage a person’s self-esteem and self-worth. A sign of effective therapy is the restoration of these feelings. Victims should begin to see themselves more positively and feel more confident in their abilities and judgments.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

Therapy evaluation questions to assess enhancements in self-esteem and self-worth:

• • About Myself: Do I feel better about myself and my abilities?
  • Guilt and Shame: Have my feelings of guilt or shame decreased?
  • Positive Self-Talk: Have you noticed an increase in positive self-talk and a decrease in self-critical thoughts?
  • Self-Acceptance: Are you becoming more accepting of your strengths and weaknesses without harsh judgment?
  • Self-Compassion: Have you started practicing self-compassion, treating yourself with kindness during difficult times?
  • Boundaries: Are you more comfortable setting and maintaining healthy boundaries in relationships?
  • Assertiveness: Have you seen improvements in your ability to express your needs and opinions confidently?
  • Recognizing Accomplishments: Are you more able to acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, both big and small?
  • Resilience: Have you noticed an increase in your resilience, with a greater ability to bounce back from setbacks?
  • Reducing Comparisons: Are you finding yourself less likely to compare yourself unfavorably to others?
  • Body Image: Have your feelings about your body and appearance improved, leading to a more positive body image?
  • Self-Respect: Have you developed a greater sense of self-respect, making choices that honor your values and well-being?
  • Self-Value: Do you feel a stronger sense of intrinsic value, independent of external validation or approval?
  • Acceptance of Praise: Are you more comfortable accepting compliments or praise without deflecting or downplaying them?
  • Engagement in Activities: Have you become more willing to engage in activities or hobbies that you enjoy and that reinforce your sense of self-worth?
  • Reducing Negative Labels: Have you stopped using negative labels for yourself, like “failure” or “unworthy,” and instead adopted more positive or neutral descriptors?
  • Decision-Making: Are you more confident in your decision-making, trusting your judgment and choices?

These questions help evaluate improvements in self-esteem and self-worth, key indicators of recovery progress.

Improved Relationships with Others

Indicators of Success: Traumatic experiences like scams can lead to trust issues and difficulties in relationships. Progress in therapy might be reflected in an improved ability to trust others and form healthy relationships.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

Therapy evaluation questions to assess improvements in relationships with others:

• • Trust in Relationships: Have you noticed an increase in your ability to trust others, particularly in forming new relationships?
  • Friends & Family: Have my relationships with friends and family improved?
  • Communication Skills: Are you finding it easier to communicate openly and honestly with others, expressing your thoughts and feelings clearly?
  • Conflict Resolution: Have you improved in handling conflicts or disagreements, approaching them constructively rather than avoiding or escalating them?
  • Empathy and Understanding: Are you more empathetic and understanding towards others, better able to see things from their perspective?
  • Social Engagement: Have you become more socially engaged, participating in social activities or events without feeling anxious or overwhelmed?
  • Building Healthy Relationships: Are you more selective in choosing relationships, prioritizing those that are supportive and positive?
  • Maintaining Boundaries: Have you become more adept at maintaining healthy boundaries in relationships, ensuring your needs and limits are respected?
  • Reducing Isolation: Have you experienced a decrease in feelings of isolation or loneliness, feeling more connected to others?
  • Supportive Network: Are you building or strengthening a supportive network of friends, family, or community members?
  • Expressing Needs: Do you feel more comfortable expressing your needs and expectations in relationships without fear of rejection or judgment?
  • Receiving Support: Are you more willing and able to receive support and help from others when needed?
  • Mutual Respect: Have you noticed an increase in mutual respect in your relationships, with both parties valuing each other’s opinions and feelings?
  • Reducing People-Pleasing: Have you reduced people-pleasing behaviors, focusing more on authentic interactions rather than seeking approval?
  • Forgiveness: Are you finding it easier to forgive others and let go of past grievances, fostering healthier relationships?
  • Intimacy and Closeness: Have you noticed improvements in your ability to form close, intimate connections with others?
  • Handling Rejection: Are you better at handling rejection or criticism without it significantly impacting your self-esteem or well-being?
  • Building New Relationships: Have you become more confident in initiating and building new relationships, both personally and professionally?
  • Reciprocity in Relationships: Are your relationships more balanced, with a healthy give-and-take dynamic?

These questions help gauge progress in improving relationships with others, an important aspect of recovery and overall well-being.

Increased Daily Functioning

Indicators of Success: Trauma can disrupt everyday life, affecting work, social activities, and self-care. Effective therapy should help victims regain their ability to function in daily life, including returning to work, engaging in hobbies, and maintaining a routine.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

Therapy evaluation questions to assess increased daily functioning:

• • Focus: Am I able to focus better at work or school?
  • Activities: Have I resumed activities I previously enjoyed?
  • Daily Routine Consistency: Are you able to maintain a consistent daily routine, including regular sleep patterns, meals, and activities?
  • Time Management: Have you noticed improvements in your ability to manage time effectively, balancing work, personal life, and leisure activities?
  • Task Completion: Are you completing tasks and responsibilities more efficiently and with less procrastination?
  • Energy Levels: Have your energy levels improved, allowing you to engage in daily activities without feeling overly fatigued?
  • Decision Making: Are you finding it easier to make decisions, both big and small, without feeling overwhelmed or anxious?
  • Personal Hygiene and Self-Care: Have you been more consistent in maintaining personal hygiene and self-care practices?
  • Household Management: Are you managing household chores and responsibilities more effectively?
  • Work Performance: Have you seen improvements in your work performance, such as increased productivity, focus, and job satisfaction?
  • Punctuality and Attendance: Are you more punctual and consistent in attending appointments, work, and social engagements?
  • Financial Management: Have you noticed improvements in managing your finances, including budgeting, saving, and spending?
  • Problem-Solving Skills: Are you better at identifying and solving problems as they arise in your daily life?
  • Adaptability to Change: Have you become more adaptable to changes in your routine or unexpected events?
  • Healthy Eating and Nutrition: Are you maintaining a healthy diet and making nutritious food choices?
  • Physical Activity: Have you increased your level of physical activity or exercise, contributing to overall well-being?
  • Social Engagement: Are you participating in social activities and engaging with others more frequently?
  • Hobbies and Interests: Have you re-engaged with hobbies or interests that you previously enjoyed or discovered new ones?
  • Stress Management: Are you effectively managing stress, using coping strategies to handle daily pressures?
  • Goal Setting and Achievement: Are you setting and achieving personal or professional goals more consistently?
  • Self-Motivation: Have you noticed an increase in self-motivation and initiative in pursuing your interests and responsibilities?
  • Mindfulness and Presence: Are you more present and mindful in your daily activities, focusing on the here and now rather than being distracted by worries?

These questions can help evaluate progress in daily functioning, which is a key indicator of overall recovery and well-being.

Developing Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Indicators of Success: Therapy should provide victims with tools to cope with distressing emotions and situations. Effective coping mechanisms replace unhealthy ones like substance abuse or withdrawal.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

Therapy evaluation questions to assess the development of healthy coping mechanisms:

• • Dealing With Stress: Am I using healthier ways to deal with stress or triggers?
  • Stress Management Techniques: Are you using stress management techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, or mindfulness, to calm yourself in stressful situations?
  • Healthy Distraction Methods: Have you identified and implemented healthy distraction methods, like engaging in hobbies, exercise, or creative activities, to cope with negative emotions?
  • Avoidance of Harmful Behaviors (If Applicable): Have you reduced or eliminated the use of harmful behaviors (e.g., substance abuse, self-harm) as a way of coping?
  • Positive Self-Talk: Are you practicing positive self-talk and reframing negative thoughts to support a healthier mindset?
  • Problem-Solving Skills: Have you developed effective problem-solving skills to address challenges rather than feeling overwhelmed or stuck?
  • Support-Seeking Behavior: Are you more likely to seek support from friends, family, or support groups when facing difficulties?
  • Emotional Expression: Are you better able to express your emotions in a healthy way, such as talking about your feelings or journaling?
  • Boundary Setting: Have you learned to set and maintain healthy boundaries in relationships to protect your well-being?
  • Relaxation Techniques: Are you regularly using relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation, to reduce tension?
  • Physical Activity: Do you engage in physical activities, like walking, yoga, or sports, as a way to cope with stress?
  • Nutrition and Hydration: Are you paying attention to your nutrition and hydration, recognizing their role in your overall well-being and stress management?
  • Mindfulness and Presence: Are you practicing mindfulness to stay present and avoid being overwhelmed by past regrets or future worries?
  • Time Management: Have you developed time management skills that help reduce stress and improve your ability to handle daily responsibilities?
  • Sleep Hygiene: Are you maintaining good sleep hygiene practices to ensure adequate rest and recovery?
  • Creative Outlets: Have you found creative outlets, such as art, music, or writing, to express your emotions and cope with stress?
  • Physical and Emotional Self-Care: Are you prioritizing both physical and emotional self-care, recognizing their importance in maintaining balance and resilience?
  • Acceptance and Letting Go: Have you developed the ability to accept things you cannot change and let go of past hurts or failures?
  • Gratitude Practice: Are you incorporating gratitude practices, such as keeping a gratitude journal, to shift focus from negatives to positives?
  • Visualization and Positive Imagery: Are you using visualization or positive imagery techniques to create a sense of calm and well-being?
  • Limiting Exposure to Stressors: Have you identified and limited exposure to unnecessary stressors, whether in media, social situations, or other areas of life?

These questions can help assess the development and effectiveness of healthy coping mechanisms, which are essential for managing stress and maintaining emotional balance.

Setting and Achieving Personal Goals

Indicators of Success: As therapy progresses, victims may find themselves able to set and pursue personal goals again. This could include career aspirations, educational pursuits, or personal development goals.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

Therapy evaluation questions to assess progress in setting and achieving personal goals:

• • Clarity of Goals: Have you defined clear, specific, and realistic personal goals?
  • Short-Term vs. Long-Term Goals: Are you able to differentiate between short-term and long-term goals and prioritize them accordingly?
  • Action Planning: Do you create actionable steps to work towards your goals, breaking down larger goals into manageable tasks?
  • Goal Alignment with Values: Do your goals align with your personal values and beliefs?
  • Consistency in Effort: Are you consistently putting in the effort to work towards your goals, even when faced with obstacles?
  • Time Management for Goal Achievement: Are you effectively managing your time to allocate adequate focus and resources toward achieving your goals?
  • Adaptability and Flexibility: Are you able to adapt your goals and strategies in response to changing circumstances or new information?
  • Tracking Progress: Do you regularly track your progress toward your goals and assess whether you are on track?
  • Celebrating Milestones: Do you recognize and celebrate small milestones and achievements along the way?
  • Overcoming Procrastination: Have you developed strategies to overcome procrastination and take timely action towards your goals?
  • Handling Setbacks: Are you able to handle setbacks and view them as learning opportunities rather than failures?
  • Seeking Feedback and Support: Do you seek feedback and support from others to help you stay on track and motivated?
  • Motivation and Commitment: Are you maintaining motivation and commitment towards your goals, even when faced with challenges?
  • Adjusting Goals: Are you comfortable adjusting your goals if they become unrealistic or misaligned with your changing priorities?
  • Self-Assessment: Do you regularly assess your strengths and weaknesses to better understand how they impact your ability to achieve your goals?
  • Vision for the Future: Do you have a clear vision for your future and how your current goals fit into that vision?
  • Balancing Multiple Goals: Are you able to balance multiple goals without feeling overwhelmed or losing focus?
  • Resource Utilization: Are you effectively utilizing available resources, such as educational materials, mentors, or support groups, to help achieve your goals?
  • Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation: Do you understand the balance between intrinsic and extrinsic motivations and how they influence your goal-setting?
  • Setting Realistic Deadlines: Are you setting realistic deadlines for your goals, considering your personal circumstances and available resources?
  • Self-Reflection on Goal Progress: Do you engage in regular self-reflection to understand what’s working well and what needs improvement in your goal-setting process?
  • Handling Distractions: Have you developed strategies to minimize distractions that can derail your progress towards achieving your goals?
  • Goal Revision: Are you open to revising your goals based on new experiences or changes in your interests and priorities?
  • Mindset for Growth: Do you maintain a growth mindset, believing in your ability to improve and achieve your goals through effort and learning?
  • Balance Between Ambition and Realism: Are you finding a balance between ambitious goals and realistic expectations, ensuring that your goals are challenging yet attainable?

These questions can help evaluate the effectiveness of therapy in supporting the process of setting and achieving personal goals.

Open Communication with the Therapist

Indicators of Success: An open and honest relationship with the therapist is crucial. Victims should feel comfortable discussing their progress, setbacks, and any concerns about the therapy itself.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

Therapy evaluation questions to assess the effectiveness of open communication with the therapist:

• • Comfort in Sharing: Do you feel comfortable sharing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences openly with your therapist?
  • Clarity of Communication: Are you able to communicate your concerns, needs, and goals clearly during therapy sessions?
  • Therapist’s Listening Skills: Does your therapist actively listen to you and validate your experiences?
  • Feedback Reception: Are you receptive to feedback from your therapist and able to discuss it constructively?
  • Expression of Concerns: Are you able to express any concerns or dissatisfaction with the therapy process openly with your therapist?
  • Understanding of Therapist’s Approach: Do you have a clear understanding of your therapist’s approach and methods, and are you able to discuss any questions you have about them?
  • Response to Therapist’s Questions: Are you able to respond openly and honestly to questions or prompts from your therapist?
  • Frequency of Communication: Are you maintaining regular and consistent communication with your therapist about your progress and any issues you encounter?
  • Therapist’s Adaptability: Does your therapist adapt their communication style to better suit your needs and preferences?
  • Setting and Reviewing Goals: Are you actively involved in setting and reviewing therapeutic goals with your therapist?
  • Addressing Misunderstandings: Are you able to address and clarify any misunderstandings or miscommunications with your therapist in a constructive manner?
  • Comfort with Disclosures: Do you feel safe disclosing sensitive or personal information, knowing it will be handled confidentially and respectfully?
  • Openness to Different Topics: Are you able to bring up a wide range of topics and issues, even those that may be uncomfortable or difficult to discuss?
  • Feedback on Therapeutic Techniques: Are you comfortable providing feedback on the therapeutic techniques or strategies used and discussing their effectiveness with your therapist?
  • Therapist’s Responsiveness: Does your therapist respond promptly and effectively to your questions, concerns, or needs?
  • Trust Building: Are you building a trusting and collaborative relationship with your therapist?
  • Exploring Therapy Progress: Are you actively discussing and evaluating your progress in therapy and making adjustments as needed?
  • Therapist’s Supportive Attitude: Do you feel that your therapist is supportive and encouraging in your journey toward improvement?
  • Exploring Different Perspectives: Are you open to exploring different perspectives and approaches suggested by your therapist?
  • Emotional Expression: Are you able to express a range of emotions, such as frustration or joy, during sessions and feel that your therapist acknowledges these emotions?

These questions can help evaluate how effectively a person is communicating with their therapist and whether the therapeutic relationship is supporting their recovery.

Summary

Evaluating the effectiveness of therapy can be a nuanced process, particularly for scam victims dealing with profound trauma.

It’s important to remember that recovery is not linear; progress can come in fits and starts. However, by considering these indicators and maintaining open communication with their therapist, scam victims can gain a clearer sense of whether their therapy is on the right track. If significant progress isn’t evident over time, it may be worth discussing alternative therapeutic approaches or seeking a second opinion.

Ultimately, the goal of therapy is to restore a sense of well-being and enable victims to reclaim control over their lives.

Statement About Victim Blaming

Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.

These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.

Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org

SCARS Resources:

• For New Victims of Relationship Scams www.ScamVictimsSupport.org
• Enroll in SCARS Scam Survivor’s School for FREE – visit www.SCARSeducation.org to register – FREE for scam victims/survivors
• Sign up for SCARS professional Support & Recovery Groups, visit support.AgainstScams.org
• Find competent Trauma Counselors or Therapists, visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
• Become a SCARS Member and get free counseling benefits, visit membership.AgainstScams.org
• Report each and every crime, learn how to at reporting.AgainstScams.org
• Learn More about Scams & Scammers at RomanceScamsNOW.com and ScamsNOW.com
• Scammer Photos on ScammerPhotos.com [Not Recommended for Recent Scam Victims]
• SCARS Videos youtube.AgainstScams.org
• Self-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainstScams.org
• Donate/Give to SCARS and help us help others at donate.AgainstScams.org

Psychology Disclaimer:

All articles about psychology, neurology, and the human brain on this website are for information & education only

The information provided in these articles is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.

While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.

Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.

If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.

If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.

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