Thoughts on therapy?

[UninformedLover]

I'm in therapy rn and it's starting to feel like a huge waste of my time but I'm not sure....Just wanna hear some opinions from people who are in therapy or were in therapy and if it helped or what?

 

[lost_one]

I have been to four different therapists and both CBT and Psychoanalysis and it helps me very little, like it feels like it's better than nothing, but then again I am very depressed and suicidal and therefore resistant, I find most of the things she says to do silly at best, some few are useful, but I think therapy isn't for everyone, like most things.

It's tricky you, in theory, need to find a good therapist and who is a good match for you a good "fit". you need to trust them, if not it gets harder. I think the most difficult thing is they will try to change who you are or your perspective in the world and if you are not willing it might not work...hell some cases even if you are willing even if you do everything right it won't work.

But I think you should be able to adress that to said therapist.

Idk I think the bottom line is you need to put in the effort and also if you are and it's not working, like I said it doesn't work for everyone.

 

[Hero Remeer]

Hello, I'm going to a public psychologist in my country. The sessions are very far apart.
Regarding your question, I don't think the two sessions have been very helpful. In fact, in the last one, I brought up points I felt were important to address given what I'm experiencing, aspects that cause me to lose control quickly. But he just wrote them down and didn't do anything else. Why don't he go deeper into those topics?
I hope it improves in the next sessions, otherwise, I'll simply ask to be removed from that mental health program here.
From what I've seen, psychology and psychiatry aim to protect society from individuals with psychological or mental problems, not to heal or cure them. I assume it's important to keep that in mind when attending these therapies.
This doesn't mean you shouldn't go, it just hasn't worked for me yet. Maybe it will work for you. We're all different. All you have to do is try.
Best regards, I hope you're well and that whatever you're going through develops in a kind and loving way.

 

[Alexei_Kirillov]

I've had one good experience with therapy, but it wasn't for my suicidality or depression, it was "occupational therapy" to help me integrate into a new job after having quit my previous job due to depression.

I think the reason it worked well was because 1) I was a willing participant -- I wanted to be able to function well at work, and 2) it was solutions-based, so we didn't do any delving into my past or whatever, we just identified a problem (ex. I don't feel like I have enough oversight/feedback from my superiors, so I don't know if what I'm doing is correct), and then brainstormed one or multiple solutions (ex. set up a weekly check-in meeting with my supervisor).

After a few months of this, I was successfully integrated to my new job and we thus stopped sessions.

All that to say, I think therapy can work when there is a clear, specific goal, shared by both participants, and a willingness on both sides to reach that goal -- hence why it would never work (at least for me) for my depression/suicidality. Because my only goal is an exit, and I don't wish for that to change.

 

[FoxSauce]

I used to do CBT but didnt work for a year that much now im taking DBT and works somewhat I wont lie theres some stuff i dont relate with but if it can show me a light of hope then whats to lose. Plus people there are nice to me so. Groups therapy seems really ok still got a far way to go tho.

It super tedious with individual sessions and group therapy whilw balancing my life and job but yeah. Plus the meds help. I agree not every meds or therapy works for everyone tho.

I just want to find some stability in my life. Trying my hardest to live every day. Honeslty this (joining the forum) has been the best thing Ive ever join.

 

[SpinandPainr]

Had an INCREDIBLE therapist as a teen. I credit her with me still being around today. She had a wonderful ability to tell me about how she pulled through similar experiences without me feeling as if I was put down at all. sadly my insurance changed as an adult and I lost her.

tried many over the years. a good fit is paramount. seriously a good or bad fit of a therapist can make or break you going into recovery. I had significant dissociative, ED, and BPD tendencies at the time. so grateful for her.

but a bad one can absolutely be traumatic

 

[trying ungracefully]

I've been in therapy for 8 years (since 12) and at first it felt like a giant waste of time because I was forced to go and it felt like it wasn't my decision to get better. Over time though it became normal and I started hating it less, it just became annoying because I don't like talking about things sometimes. I love my therapist so that helps, she really has done her best to help by letting me text whenever, doing therapeutic outings, helping me with trauma, and more. She helped me a lot with distress tolerance like sitting with my uncomfortable emotions and thoughts so we can work through them which really helps.

It's been 8 years and I've gotten worse and better in different ways. It's a big process and isn't always easy and short and the therapist might not always be the best.