An opinion I have

[ilivebecuzicantdie]

Someone should not be allowed to become a therapist unless they themselves have personal experience with whatever they will be treating someone for.

So if a therapist is going to treat someone for depression, they should have dealt with depression before.

Because most therapist have either no experience or barely any experience with what what are helping someone for so they just spout out whatever they think will help while having absolutely no idea. Or just tell you what the textbook says.

 

[Umbrella Weather]

I have more than twenty-five years of experience dealing with psychologists and I can assure you that they are just as fucked up as we are... They just figured out a way to parlay their dysfunction into a career.

 

[AnestheticVoid]

I don't really agree with this. I see what you're saying tho.

 

[Depressed Cat]

You have a very valid point.

However, this would mean that therapy becomes highly specialised and there may not be enough therapists for all conditions. The smaller the city, the harder it would become to find one for one's particular condition.

I'd rather have them pick only people who are deeply empathetic in the first place and train them much better.

 

[InezSerrano]

There are already less therapists than we need. IDK. I could imagine maybe having a therapist list things they have personal experience with, so you can try to pick someone who does, but as things are now, increasing the requirements to be a therapist is unrealistic.

I know it sucks, but it's just how it is :/ (at least where I live)

 

[CameronFrye]

I agree. I've strongly considered becoming one from my experience. Not just from mental illness but also from my experience with therapists. I'd want to really try to understand my clients, and be supportive and empathetic instead of acting like I'm above them and know them better than they know themselves. I wouldn't try to fit them into a textbook definition with textbook solutions, I'd try to help them find personal solutions based off of their unique circumstances. I'd offer them options and give them the pros/cons and let them decide instead of pushing things on them. Also I'd love to research new forms of treatment like psilocybin.

My problem is I feel like one I don't have it in me to complete all the necessary schooling. I keep having to take medical leaves/drop out due to mental illness. Also the field is extremely competitive. Ironically mental illness is seen as a negative and a liability when applying to medical school. Which is really unfortunate because some of the people who should be the most qualified are seen as the least qualified and too high risk. Instead, grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, and interview skills are what gets you in and allows you to become qualified. I'd rather have someone who's been through it and truly understands be my therapist, than the well-adjusted high achiever who thinks they know everything. Second if I somehow became qualified I'd probably put way too much pressure on myself and not be able to separate work and personal life and worry about my clients too much. I'd always be questioning myself and if I'm failing at giving them the care they need.

I like to daydream about it sometimes, but at the end of the day it seems like it can only ever be a dream and nothing more.

 

[whatevs]

I agree. I've strongly considered becoming one from my experience. Not just from mental illness but also from my experience with therapists. I'd want to really try to understand my clients, and be supportive and empathetic instead of acting like I'm above them and know them better than they know themselves. I wouldn't try to fit them into a textbook definition with textbook solutions, I'd try to help them find personal solutions based off of their unique circumstances. I'd offer them options and give them the pros/cons and let them decide instead of pushing things on them. Also I'd love to research new forms of treatment like psilocybin.

My problem is I feel like one I don't have it in me to complete all the necessary schooling. I keep having to take medical leaves/drop out due to mental illness. Also the field is extremely competitive. Ironically mental illness is seen as a negative and a liability when applying to medical school. Which is really unfortunate because some of the people who should be the most qualified are seen as the least qualified and too high risk. Instead, grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, and interview skills are what gets you in and allows you to become qualified. I'd rather have someone who's been through it and truly understands be my therapist, than the well-adjusted high achiever who thinks they know everything. Second if I somehow became qualified I'd probably put way too much pressure on myself and not be able to separate work and personal life and worry about my clients too much. I'd always be questioning myself and if I'm failing at giving them the care they need.

I like to daydream about it sometimes, but at the end of the day it seems like it can only ever be a dream and nothing more.

Psychology isn't competitive, I have been to many psychs that barely make an effort. It's become harder to get the Big Daddy Govt approval, that's all. But you can still be a fraud afterwards.

So don't fret! With hard work and dedication, you too can become a fraud!

 

[CameronFrye]

Psychology isn't competitive, I have been to many psychs that barely make an effort. It's become harder to get the Big Daddy Govt approval, that's all. But you can still be a fraud afterwards.

So don't fret! With hard work and dedication, you too can become a fraud!

Not trying to be a fraud at all, that's probably another reason I'd never make it in. I have many issues with the psychology/psychiatry field. I just like the idea of being genuine to people who haven't gotten that from anyone else, and making progress where it's desperately needed offering treatments like psilocybin treatment. But I know that's probably not possible and why it will never be more than a dream.

 

[whatevs]

Not trying to be a fraud at all, that's probably another reason I'd never make it in. I have many issues with the psychology/psychiatry field. I just like the idea of being genuine to people who haven't gotten that from anyone else, and making progress where it's desperately needed offering treatments like psilocybin treatment. But I know that's probably not possible and why it will never be more than a dream.

Can you share some information regarding a treatment based on hallucinogens for say depression or social anxiety? I have been interested in this for a long time, but it has seemed like a dangerous move all this time considering my state of mind.

If you try it, please share your experience in here.

 

[CameronFrye]

Can you share some information regarding a treatment based on hallucinogens for say depression or social anxiety? I have been interested in this for a long time, but it has seemed like a dangerous move all this time considering my state of mind.

If you try it, please share your experience in here.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/psychiatry/research/psychedelics-research.html

https://hopkinspsychedelic.org/

There's a ton of research being done at Johns Hopkins University right now and I'd love to participate it, either as a test subject or a researcher. Their studies have shown it is effective in treating major depression for up to a year. The treatment is offered by experts in the area who provide a safe setting and help guide your trip to make it safe and productive, and avoid a bad trip. As more research is done, more evidence is found to support its benefits in treating mental health issues. The biggest hurdle is government approval, which seems unlikely because a cheap, natural treatment that is only taken once and is effective for a long period would hurt big pharma and their profits. But it's worth it to continue to build evidence and support and try to revolutionize mental health treatment for the better.