Facing Theraphy And Finding A Therapist

[Aduren]

It might be a good idea to continue talking through what you think you need and what hasn't worked in the past before taking the next step. Do you have an idea of the different psychology approaches and what they entail?

As a kid I read Wolpe and his use of psychotherapy and desensitivation in in clinical use. He approach his therapy by narrowing the problem to its initial trigger and desensitizing the patient to it ( ie the mother that feared all sharp objects BC she could hurt her baby, something that originated from a cakeg given to her with a knife the day before she gave birth). But he never discuss trauma on that book. After more trauma I made a point NOT to take/read any psychology. One semester I even took smooth manifolds and topology just to not have to take psych 101.

So I am a bouffon in regards to different approaches ( I don't believe anyone ever explainedntheir approach to my situation) and what they entail. Would you mind sharing with me what you know, it would really be helpful.

 

[Aduren]

I think it is OK to rule out therapists that you think aren't qualified. Absolutely. I think you're very lucky to have a list to choose from. Where I am in the world, there was no choice, and the wait for therapy to start was awful.

A suggestion that popped into my brain was when you've narrowed down who you are choosing to help you, find out what pace your therapy will go at. My therapy feels incredibly slow, and the gaps between sessions are very long. Just a thought; I guess it's about working at a pace which feels right for you. Good luck in finding a suitable therapist Aduren.

I am very lucky indeed, my job considers mental health paramount and we have some of the best coverage for therapy. I can have bi weekly sessions which I found to be the better for me, in a week I give two steps forward one back and bi weekly I keep the pace forward.
Initially I felt like you, too long to wait but then I realise it was up to me so I was able to change that. I hope things get better where you are.

I think my relapse had to do with how much I had truly stored away, and when I open that box I think I was not fully prepared. My wife finds extremely difficult to understand PTSD in child abuse, or how her family can be triggers, and thus back then I had no family support.

 

[rainy_daze]

That's great you recognised a way to change the situation. It's also good to read you have control over the timing of sessions.

I think it's difficult for people around us to see what is happening (especially if we are trying to hide things, other times it is unavoidable that they see), it is sometimes difficult for them to accept what we're coping with and other times, I don't know, they don't know enough about our past to truly understand it. I understand the idea of it being like a box also. I relate to that so much.

I'm watching this thread because I think the suggestions on it are very helpful for you finding someone suitable, and hopefully for anyone else who sees it.

 

[Abstract]

Hi Aduren,
I will come back and answer properly when I find my brain but in the mean time here is something to watch that graphically shows how different therapy can feel depending on the approach of the therapist. They show 3 different therapy approaches and done by the people who developed them. They are called the Gloria Tapes.

I thought it would just link to Youtube but it didn't. There are about 5 parts to the Carl Rogers approach so will have to look to find them.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Hi Aderen,

I lived in Houston years ago while going to school. I didn't see anyone spectacular while I was down there, but I did see one of the worst I've ever come across. (I wish I could give you a name but alas, I can't remember!) anyway, she was the very first therapist I ever disclosed my (physical) abuse to. She said absolutely nothing in response. I felt so incredibly invalidated that it was another 8 years before I told anyone else. Dang, I just realized she probably contributed to my delayed diagnosis. Oh blah!

Anyway, neurofeedback did help with my obsessive thinking. I still deal with it, but it's nowhere near as bad as it used to be. My new therapist really wants me to start neurofeedback again, but I am wary of it. She says it could really help. My family says "NO MORE!" as they see what I'm like in the days following a session. At first I had little to lose (not sleeping, hardly functioning), but now that I've made progress, I see the risks as bigger. What if I backslide or am pushed over the edge? I've read a few horror stories saying how people were adversely affected months and months later. I don't think it's worth risking it at this point, at least for me.