One session down, more to go...
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One session down, more to go...
I went to my first session today with a mental health professional (psychologist). It went well I think. I have nothing to compare it to. Won't bore you all with the details but will say this, I AM justified in my feelings and was and have been treated very unfairly. So that was good. The other thing that made my smirk a little was as I was leaving and we shook hands he looked at me and said "you've had a very interesting life". Yes I have.
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I'm glad the first session went ok.
I had this idea when I started therapy that results would be immediate - but turned out some of the knots in me were harder to untie than others.
Don;t get discouraged if this happens to you as well Jeff
D
I had this idea when I started therapy that results would be immediate - but turned out some of the knots in me were harder to untie than others.
Don;t get discouraged if this happens to you as well Jeff
D
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Originally Posted by Dee74 
I'm glad the first session went ok.
I had this idea when I started therapy that results would be immediate - but turned out some of the knots in me were harder to untie than others.
Don;t get discouraged if this happens to you as well Jeff
D
I had this idea when I started therapy that results would be immediate - but turned out some of the knots in me were harder to untie than others.
Don;t get discouraged if this happens to you as well Jeff
D
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Join Date: Apr 2007
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It depends on the therapist I think Jeff. Some will talk a lot, and others will let you do the talking.
I wouldn't expect to know anything much about a game plan until you two get to know each other a little more
rooting for you man
D
I wouldn't expect to know anything much about a game plan until you two get to know each other a little more
rooting for you man
D
EndGame
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 4,677
Originally Posted by thomas11
He said that I have very likely buried a lot of pain and hurt way down deep in my soul. He's scheduled me for 5 more sessions already. Now, I realize its a money thing too, but I will hang in there for awhile. I did most of the talking today as that is what he wanted, but I also want to know his game-plan at some point.
It takes time.
It's a natural part of the therapeutic process to feel as though you're getting worse instead of better. This can be a crucial moment that often reveals one's level of commitment to the process. It can be a motivating challenge as well.
It's also one of the worst times to stop. That and when we convince ourselves that we can do the work on our own. If that worked, we wouldn't be seeing a therapist.
In my experience, and in the end, it's very often the relationship that heals.
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Join Date: Jul 2014
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I am glad it went well Jeff. I too encourage you to hang in there, it does take time.
Do you like to read? Someone here once recommended the following book and I have read it many times over. it gives insight to the therapeutic process but also shows us that we are all dealing with things, things that come down to some basic givens in life (according to the author, a psychologist).
I didn't read it to understand my own therapy, but more a s a novel that gave me comfort.
It is called "Love's Executioner and Other Tales of Psychotherapy" by Irvin D. Yalom. Beautiful book.
Do you like to read? Someone here once recommended the following book and I have read it many times over. it gives insight to the therapeutic process but also shows us that we are all dealing with things, things that come down to some basic givens in life (according to the author, a psychologist).
I didn't read it to understand my own therapy, but more a s a novel that gave me comfort.
It is called "Love's Executioner and Other Tales of Psychotherapy" by Irvin D. Yalom. Beautiful book.
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Join Date: Aug 2015
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Originally Posted by EndGameNYC
That depends on what you want from therapy; what your expectations are.
It takes time.
It's a natural part of the therapeutic process to feel as though you're getting worse instead of better. This can be a crucial moment that often reveals one's level of commitment to the process. It can be a motivating challenge as well.
It's also one of the worst times to stop. That and when we convince ourselves that we can do the work on our own. If that worked, we wouldn't be seeing a therapist.
In my experience, and in the end, it's very often the relationship that heals.
It takes time.
It's a natural part of the therapeutic process to feel as though you're getting worse instead of better. This can be a crucial moment that often reveals one's level of commitment to the process. It can be a motivating challenge as well.
It's also one of the worst times to stop. That and when we convince ourselves that we can do the work on our own. If that worked, we wouldn't be seeing a therapist.
In my experience, and in the end, it's very often the relationship that heals.
And one reason they are helpful is that good ones come to exactly the conclusions yours said at the end of a session! They are trained and well versed in recognizing. Then working with you to heal is the "game plan" - tho I really suggest reframing that concept because I don't see an ultimate-I'm-cured-endgame here. We get better, heal, learn to cope and move forward better understanding and equipped.
Do stick with it. I have found it hard to find the money at times but always worth it in my sobriety. One session at a time
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Join Date: Dec 2019
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I am blessed with a great therapist. She makes me dive deep into the legitimacy of all of my feelings even in the long shadow of my illegitimate, childish, and at times criminal, actions. She refers to my AV as my "little boy." LOL!! That makes sense to me. Don't be afraid Thomas. Your therapist should make you feel very uncomfortable from time to time if they are good at their jobs. Sorting out our nag-headed heads is daunting sometimes.
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Good work going to see the psychologist. A good doc is worth their weight in gold, IMO. The first session is the getting to know you session. I’m sure that your dr will have more of a game plan the next time you see him.
For what it’s worth, I always felt like I needed a solid plan with a straight line to “cured”. Funny enough, my sessions haven’t worked that way. Sometimes I feel like the session has gone off the track but, turns out, that’s where the therapy really needed to go. At times, it’s like a leap of faith. I just have to trust the dr and the process.
For what it’s worth, I always felt like I needed a solid plan with a straight line to “cured”. Funny enough, my sessions haven’t worked that way. Sometimes I feel like the session has gone off the track but, turns out, that’s where the therapy really needed to go. At times, it’s like a leap of faith. I just have to trust the dr and the process.
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: New York, NY
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Originally Posted by Meraviglioso
"Love's Executioner and Other Tales of Psychotherapy" by Irvin D. Yalom. Beautiful book.
Irvin Yalom was heavily influenced by existentialism, focusing on themes of despair, alienation, authenticity, and lack of meaning or purpose in life. All critical matters in contemporary life.
Along with a few very good supervisors/role models I had along the way, Yalom persuaded me to pay more attention to the relationship in the room. A relationship that can evolve into a delivery system for self-acceptance.
EndGame
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: New York, NY
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Originally Posted by Atlast9999
For what it’s worth, I always felt like I needed a solid plan with a straight line to “cured”. Funny enough, my sessions haven’t worked that way. Sometimes I feel like the session has gone off the track but, turns out, that’s where the therapy really needed to go. At times, it’s like a leap of faith. I just have to trust the dr and the process.
A very common and often crucial struggle for everyone is about what we do after things don't go the way we planned. Which for many people is most of the time; a chronic condition for others.
The Universe into which we are all born is indifferent, and often hostile, towards individual success. Disappointment lurks around every corner. We attack ourselves with our own thinking and punish ourselves for the feelings we experience.
We need to be much kinder with who we are and with whom we want to be. I don't know of a better way to start.
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We attack ourselves with our own thinking and punish ourselves for the feelings we experience.
We need to be much kinder with who we are and with whom we want to be.
powerful words right there. I am an infant in the world I just walked into (therapy etc,,,). I am open minded and honest. we'll see what my future holds?
As I believe I mentioned before, I am so happy that my feelings are valid and I wasn't just being a baby about the whole situation. Big relief.
We need to be much kinder with who we are and with whom we want to be.
powerful words right there. I am an infant in the world I just walked into (therapy etc,,,). I am open minded and honest. we'll see what my future holds?
As I believe I mentioned before, I am so happy that my feelings are valid and I wasn't just being a baby about the whole situation. Big relief.
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Join Date: Dec 2019
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Having been so extensively victimized by your family, your feelings are absolutely valid. Far from acting like a baby, I think you have risen up and tried to right those wrongs, even to your own great detriment and at risk to your own freedom. Hopefully understanding how wrong they were, and how deeply all of that hurt you, will allow you to find peace.
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