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Yes, this is when I went the first time, when I was deciding to leave my unhappy live-in relationship. The problem was that he didn't have glaring issues like alcoholism, so I felt like there was something wrong with ME for not being happy with him. For 2 years I had been miserable but feeling too guilty to do anything about it. The therapist was so vital in helping me feel validated that there were reasons for me to be unhappy.
I'm glad it worked for you.
I stopped going when I realized that our sessions were beginning to be the shrink and me just chatting. He had a bought a house upstate and was showing me online what color he was painting it, etc...it was time to stop because it wasn't therapy anymore. I had enough under my belt that I could go out and be reasonably certain I had made the changes I needed to not fall into old patterns again. I still get an email from him every September 11, though, telling me he's thinking of me. I was ahead of the game of most of my coworkers, because I already HAD a shrink!
Location: On the "Left Coast", somewhere in "the Land of Fruits & Nuts"
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^ ^ Nicely handled. I've heard of more than a few therapists who've openly admitted that some patient or other is 'paying for their boat, 2nd car, kid's education, etc.", usually mentioned (kinda/sorta) "tongue-in-cheek" of course! So lotsa potential for the occasional 'conflict-of-interest' going on there!
Great that you'd grown and had the insight (and honesty with yourself), to recognize when it was finally time to 'cut the cord' and move on!
It has worked for me in the past and currently. You really need to do some of the work for yourself and not plop down and expect a professional to know you and your problems after a 60 or 90 min session. You need to have clear realistic expectations of what you want from the therapy and focus on your goals. It is expensive, especially when insurance doesnt cover mental illness type things. I have always tackled my issues using a few different things at once. Like reading self help things, journaling and therapy and herbal supplements or changing diet. You need to find someone you can trust talking to and open up to. If you go in with a closed mind then you wont benefit. I always know that I talk better to women therapists more than men so I only see women. Just helps me personally get the most out of it.
I go through this find certain things I need to talk over with out being Judged. Funny I try talking with my Pastor he don't Judge but you can see in his eyes he is freaked.
I can't afford professional help but got couple good friends I can talk things over with and they have kept me from beating myself up so bad.
NAMI is all over the US and they provide support groups. It is a great alternative to therapy. I found a therapist that was willing to work with me and cut her rates since my Humana wouldnt cover mental health until I spent $3500.
It certainly can but it is really a two way street. I think that someone needs to be receptive to therapy for it to have any impact. Personally, I love therapy. It gives me a safe place to talk, get ideas, and work on things. Most of my therapy has centered around my family relationships which I will discuss below.
I have a very emotionally troubled teen and we received in home therapy for almost a year. Three hours a week with a therapist, 2 with a behavioral specialist. I sat through almost every single session and really learned a lot over the year. It really helped me and this was the therapist's observation when our services ended after the year. I was devastated to see her go. We had a private insurance therapist too who was kinda of so-so. My daughter would manipulate her into playing games so when I saw her playing Chinese Checkers for half the session, my blood would boil. We really saw no improvement or impact. The behavioral specialist had more of an impact. She would take my daughter out shopping, for ice cream, coffee, etc. She was more of a big sister. It did help for my daughter to have a "friend" and the behavioral specialist would gently suggest things to help get her back on track. The behavioral specialist was in training to become a licensed therapist so she certainly got a crash course with my daughter, lol.
In terms of therapy, a patient does have to work a bit and meet someone halfway or at least be receptive to ideas. Unfortunately she is extremely resistant and turned each session into a game. We got no where, even after a year. She has told me again and again, she is resistant to therapy, will not do the work, thinks it is all BS. At this point, we are looking at a very experienced psychologist and have an appointment next week to see where we stand. If all else fails, we may be looking at an out patient program for our next step. We've also have seen psychiatrists but they want to push meds and that isn't what we need. Have tried them and no impact at all. At some point may look into a big sister approach as well.
Oh, and you really need to pick a good therapist. We had one for a short time who would listen for you a moment and then divert the discussion over to her life, her kids, etc. I had to interrupt her numerous times when we couldn't get a word in edgewise.
Long story short: An individual needs to be receptive to therapy for it to really work.
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