I had a pro-choice talk with my therapist....

[DeathIsTheWayOut99]

And it went well

She was on board with me in my thoughts about assisted suicide. im not sure if she agrees with me per say but I liked being able to talk pro-choice and her listen without judegement

 

[overcomingfear]

Does your country have legal euthanasia? It's actually a long process to get approved for

 

[Mm80]

And it went well

She was on board with me in my thoughts about assisted suicide. im not sure if she agrees with me per say but I liked being able to talk pro-choice and her listen without judegement

Its good that you found a therapist like that. Most of the ones ive seen would have equated the conversation to a turkey voting for xmas. I must say i question why some people are therapists (private ones)

 

[DeathIsTheWayOut99]

Does your country have legal euthanasia? It's actually a long process to get approved for

No I live in US

 

[icanhasnick]

Well then maybe your state does have legal euthanasia, but it requires your commiting a crime first

 

[schopenh]

I must say i question why some people are therapists (private ones)

Because they make a load of money

 

[(`-.-`)<==;;=]]

And it went well

She was on board with me in my thoughts about assisted suicide. im not sure if she agrees with me per say but I liked being able to talk pro-choice and her listen without judegement

Is this something about her specifically? or do u think her workmates also have this attitude towards pro-choice? (like is it an independent therapist or u go to a place with therapists that might consult each other?)
Interested in knowing her thoughts about it, or how'd she refer it if u want to share

 

[Mm80]

Because they make a load of money

Thats it, obviously not all are like that but ive experienced a few. 3 years trining in the uk then tgey charge at least 40 pounds per hour. I get more out of this community than i have had from a therapist.

 

[Deleted member 17949]

That sounds refreshing, I'm glad you got this talk

 

[DeathIsTheWayOut99]

Is this something about her specifically? or do u think her workmates also have this attitude towards pro-choice? (like is it an independent therapist or u go to a place with therapists that might consult each other?)
Interested in knowing her thoughts about it, or how'd she refer it if u want to share

She works in a place with other therapists. Though she does seem to have vies that I guess would be different than most therapists. She is very outspoken and open about to practically everything

 

[icanhasnick]

I must say i question why some people are therapists (private ones)

To keep a semblance of social peace, someone has to pump folks up with all the pills. And it must look like scienece/medicine to save face.

There are some Ballas (thelastpsychiatrist) articles on this, but I doubt my post will get approved if I link them.

 

[TAW122]

I'm happy that you are able to have a talk of such a subject with your therapist. For me, it would have been too great of a risk as one mistake could lead to (potentially many) unwanted consequences. I hope you are able to continue to find similar people who are able to discuss sensitive topics without judgment or intervention.

Thats it, obviously not all are like that but ive experienced a few. 3 years trining in the uk then tgey charge at least 40 pounds per hour. I get more out of this community than i have had from a therapist.

In the past when I did see a private counselor/psychologist, it cost a shitton of money, like $200-300 USD just for a few hours and that was when I was still on my parents' insurance (like 7 years ago). Anyways, yes I too, gained much more from this community in terms of support, understanding, and validation than anywhere else.

 

[Sprite_Geist]

That sounds like a breath of fresh air from what you usually see on here relating to therapists @DeathIsTheWayOut99 . It's nice to know that you were able to have a discussion about the subject without being berated or judged. Sure she may not agree with it like you said, most people don't, but it sounds like she understands and that is the important thing.

 

[Shades of Grey]

Its good that you found a therapist like that. Most of the ones ive seen would have equated the conversation to a turkey voting for xmas. I must say i question why some people are therapists (private ones)

It makes sense, though. Many therapists took an interest in the field either because of their own issues or those of someone close to them.

If they've lost (or feared losing) a loved one to suicide, I can understand being anti-choice. Same if they feel strongly that treatment dramatically changed or saved their lives, or if they've watched that happen for others. Most of them probably believe quite strongly in what they do. (If it worked for them, or that guy over there, ostensibly, it could work for you too.) There can also be substantial professional repercussions for a patient's suicide.

I hate that the last few that I've seen force me to see someone else as well (so that they can "consult" or whatever). It's expensive, feels uncomfortably patronizing, and I feel like the efficacy is greatly reduced. But I get it. I'm a high chronic suicide risk with a history of self harm and little preservation instinct who won't reach out and gives few clues in the moment to how bad things are. They'll find out about a crisis months after the fact, if they find out at all. Unreliable narrator. Someday, I will almost certainly die by my own hand. And they will never see it coming. I'm a shitty, high-stress patient. I wouldn't want to see me either... even as a pro-choicer. It's one of the reasons I don't go anymore. I feel like it's almost unethical for me to choose a new therapist with the knowledge that I fully intend to off myself. I can't bring myself to knowingly risk inflicting trauma and/or negative repercussions on somebody who is basically an innocent bystander that just wants to help. I don't know.

Enough blathering on my end.

 

[Mm80]

It makes sense, though. Many therapists took an interest in the field either because of their own issues or those of someone close to them.

If they've lost (or feared losing) a loved one to suicide, I can understand being anti-choice. Same if they feel strongly that treatment dramatically changed or saved their lives, or if they've watched that happen for others. Most of them probably believe quite strongly in what they do. (If it worked for them, or that guy over there, ostensibly, it could work for you too.) There can also be substantial professional repercussions for a patient's suicide.

I hate that the last few that I've seen force me to see someone else as well (so that they can "consult" or whatever). It's expensive, feels uncomfortably patronizing, and I feel like the efficacy is greatly reduced. But I get it. I'm a high chronic suicide risk with a history of self harm and little preservation instinct who won't reach out and gives few clues in the moment to how bad things are. They'll find out about a crisis months after the fact, if they find out at all. Unreliable narrator. Someday, I will almost certainly die by my own hand. And they will never see it coming. I'm a shitty, high-stress patient. I wouldn't want to see me either... even as a pro-choicer. It's one of the reasons I don't go anymore. I feel like it's almost unethical for me to choose a new therapist with the knowledge that I fully intend to off myself. I can't bring myself to knowingly risk inflicting trauma and/or negative repercussions on somebody who is basically an innocent bystander that just wants to help. I don't know.

Enough blathering on my end.

No i think your points are valid. Ive been a little cynical of therapists but im sure some are in it to help others like they were helped. I think you can safely talk to a therapist about suicide without them breaking confidentially as long as you dont present an inniment risk to yourself, ie a detailed imminent plan. Might be worth exploring? I think if more were pro choice therapy would be more effective as there would be nothing to hide. Its still such a taboo subject

 

[foxdie]

It's good to find an outlet like that. I'm happy for you

 

[Shades of Grey]

I think you can safely talk to a therapist about suicide without them breaking confidentially as long as you dont present an inniment risk to yourself, ie a detailed imminent plan. Might be worth exploring? I think if more were pro choice therapy would be more effective as there would be nothing to hide. Its still such a taboo subject

I'm pretty open about the fact that I'm pro-choice and have been chronically suicidal for decades. There's literally no way to approach treatment without going "there". I don't disclose anything in the moment that will place me at risk for involuntary hospitalization.

I suspect that it's probably my approach to the topic that tends to make them uncomfortable. It's secretive, restrained, understated, matter-of-fact, and largely devoid of emotion. Dispassionate, maybe? Gallows humor. I might as well be talking about yesterday's lunch, the weather, my favorite toothpaste, or cat food. So many times, they've wanted to hospitalize but can't quite get the information they need to justify it. I'm (very) cognizant of the fact that I'm not a particularly enjoyable or rewarding case, and I feel bad about that.

Total agreement on a more "pro-choice", open environment being beneficial for some. I've chosen the majority of my therapists based in part on their stated personal interest in suicidality and self-harm. (Even though I rarely do it anymore, it will always be part of my history. In a clinical setting, it will invariably come up in conversation at some point, so there has to be some degree of comfort with the subject.) My experience has been that many therapists aren't quite as comfortable going there as they think they are. I wish it weren't so taboo, but I get it.

 

[262653]

Well then maybe your state does have legal euthanasia, but it requires your commiting a crime first

Isn't it funny, doing something bad for others in order to get something good in return.

 

[Green Destiny]

Wish I had a therapist that understanding. Seems like the majority is "Once you mention suicide i'm tossing you in the psych ward." It's why I don't look for one myself. Not leaving myself prone to having my freedom taken away.