What made therapy worthwhile in your experience?
Hi guys :)
I have alway paid for therapy because I don't have a plan to cover it, and have been on therapy for at least 3 years with 4 difference therapists.
I hope I don't offend anyone and this is just my personal experience, but I feel like I'm just paying someone an awful lot of money to chat with me like a friend, and none of the advice I've received were things that I haven't heard online or from someone else.
Am I simply expecting too much or I still haven't found the right therapist?
I would be grateful if you could share your experiences with therapy and / or what made therapy worth the cost / struggle for you. Thanks!
I've met a lot of different therapist and honestly the reason why I quit is that 99% of the time the therapist wasn't helpful. Like you said, they didn't tell me anything that I didn't hear before. So I would say it isn't the right therapist for you, and that's okay! There are actually more types of therapy than talking one on one, it's helpful to search what kinf of treatment will be better for your issues. Also finding a therapist that is specialized in your struggles could help you find a more helpful one! Don't hesitate to talk to your therapist if you feel like it isn't working out. Therapy is kind of like a friendship but more one-sided, but it still takes time and sometimes it just isn't the right person for you. But that's totally okay 😊
@Rue420 Everyone I know all find therapy to be lifechaging (which I'm happy for them obviously), so it's nice to know I'm not the only one feeling this way - thank you for sharing! :)
@DynamicLemon1111 The therapists I know (in real life) tell me that some therapists prefer to provide treatment, so that you recover from whatever illness you have, and some therapists prefer to provide strategies that help you cope while you remain ill. It sounds like you've been seeing the second type of therapist for three or more years.
The first type will usually spend one or two sessions assessing your situation, make a plan for treatment, and then carry out the plan. I notice you've posted this in Depression Support. Treatment times for treating depression are typically measured in weeks, not years.
Based on what I've been told, it sounds like you've been expecting too little, and also you haven't found the right therapist. It might help if you can make it clear to any new therapist you see that you want actual treatment, not just coping strategies, and if actual treatment isn't the thing they do, then they should not agree to see you.
This depends to some extent on correct diagnosis. If your diagnosis is wrong, then you might have a condition that therapy cannot treat at all. In this case a good therapist will discuss this with you after assessment, and refer to you a specialist.
If you'd ever like to chat about the situation, feel free to click on my profile picture and message me.
Charlie
@RarelyCharlie Thank you for sharing! This has opened my eyes to a completely new realm of therapy - the therapists that I've been seeing all stand by long-term therapeutic relationships and keep their client on for years, so I thought that's what all therapists do. I'll try look for therapists who are more results-driven and suggest plans / goals with suggested time frames. Thanks again!
