I'm at the place where I'd like a therapist now, but afraid to go. (Feel a general distrust for them). May I ask about your experiences? Also, isn't it possible that any therapist could be a crazy bast#ard himself? Sorry...may be going off the "deep end"...(as dad would say). The more details the better...hate to be nosey...but info helps me feel less anxious. I'm sorry that I can't answer every responder this time ...lots of fatigue lately too. Uuggh. Thanks in advance tho.
The most important things to look for are the initials LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) or LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) behind the person's name. This indicates they have been licensed by their state to provide psychotherapy. Each state has different requirements but they all include at least a Master's Degree and many hours of supervision. My daughter's degree is a MEd in Counseling and she had to have over 200 hours of supervision. Continuing education is also required.
Most PhD (or PsyD) psychologists these days provide diagnostic testing and supervision only, probably because they are the only ones qualified to do the testing and they can make a heck of a lot more money doing that.
If a therapist is not in practice with a psychiatrist, they will usually have one they can refer to if they feel medication might help.
There are many different types of therapy that have been proven effective. There are even more different types of people licensed as therapists. You really just have to find one that clicks with your personality.
Whatever you do, avoid anyone calling themself a “Life Coach!” Any idiot can take an online course and print up a certificate!
Can’t say that I blame you for being annoyed with the yawning. Did you ever want to ask them if they suffered from narcolepsy? Would have crossed my mind after boredom. Sorry you experienced this. That would be quite unnerving.
Almost all therapists of various stripes are about helping you deal with now and the future in the aftermath of the fire so to speak.
If you need to vent about how the fire got started, a good therapist will meet you where you are and then gently seek to help you move forward one small step at a time. I did a lot of venting with mine at the first on how the fire got started and she let me vent it all out and then she guided me into what I needed to do then in response to the fire with some healthy boundaries and concrete consequences for when the boundaries got broken which they did.
I wish you the best.
I really respect that he told me that I may not like everything he had to say. It was one of the most helpful things he said to me early on in the relationship. He truly wasn’t being insensitive at all but clearly he was well aware that some people who are struggling are indeed overly sensitive. I was one of those people who was overly sensitive and sometimes misunderstood those who were only trying to help but I wasn’t ready to hear it. Sometimes when we are overwhelmed we can read more into a situation than there is.
His remark to me made me aware that I needed to be open minded and fair and not quit the first time I wasn’t happy with a response of his and to hang in there for the long haul.
Plus I relate to ‘no nonsense’ direct people who don’t sugarcoat everything. He was fair with me also. It was a two way street.
Once I told him that he was off base about something and he asked me to tell him why I felt that way. His response was incredibly kind to me and he told me that he did assume something that was clearly not how I felt and understood my attitude and told me that he was giving me a ‘free pass’ for feeling as I did.
Therapists are human just as we are. They understand how we feel and for the most part with a good therapist we are in safe non judgmental hands. If they need us to clarify a topic they will ask and it’s our responsibility to clarify it for them.
Taking a break if needed is okay. I wouldn’t be so quick to write someone off. Working with the therapist like I have caused me to look at myself a lot more seriously. I am very grateful for that.
It’s just like the people on this forum. The ones that pointed out things that I should consider helped me the most. It doesn’t matter if I didn’t hear what they said right away because it was food for thought and they planted a seed that grew and I am grateful.
So I go, explain my situation. Half way in he jumps up and starts propelling his arms and going around in a circle, saying that I need to be like an airplane.
I just look at him and wonder WTH have I gotten myself into. Ok he sits down and we continue. As I leave, he says there is nothing wrong with me, it is her.
I scamper out thinking the entire world is Bat Sh#t crazy. Never been to another therapist since, just went no contact with my mother..problem solved!
I do it all the time😁.
Don’t let your sister’s negative experience deter you from reaching out. I’m sorry that she had a bad experience. It happens sometimes but it doesn’t mean it will necessarily happen to you too.
I wish you all the best.
💟Tiger55.
Psychiatrst, Psychologist, Social Worker or Clinical Social Worker?
psychiatrist prescribe meds
That's my only experience with talk therapy. I've always found more help through forums like this one, for instance, than I have from anywhere else.
He was crazy! Hahaha
I don’t know how old you are but I remember during the Beatles era there was the ‘scream’ therapy! That actually may have been somewhat helpful. Hahaha Except why pay someone to go scream! LOL
I also remember those crazy foam clubs that people bought and beat each other with! I think I bought some at a very nice shop uptown here that sold them and gave them as a gag gift to my husband. He cracked up. We were in our 20’s. No kids yet. He has a great sense of humor.
There have been ‘crazy’ methods throughout history and I am sure questionable methods will always be around.
It takes all kinds to make the world go round. I say live and let live as long as no harm is done to anyone.
If something works, great. If not, it is at least a good laugh!
Just when I thought things wud finally get better for me,...this episode (lasting a week already). I even missed my eye exam, cuz Dr had2 go on pregnancy bed rest. It hardly matters now though. Thanks for continuing to post great responses on the thread. (Some are quite funny)!
Hoping the week ahead will bring good things for us all.