Author Topic: Therapy - what is it?  (Read 1656 times)

penelope

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Therapy - what is it?
« on: November 12, 2006, 10:54:08 PM »
I found this description on my employer's health benefits website and thought it was one of the best descriptions I've come across of mental health therapy.

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Despite popular belief, mental health therapy goes far beyond the traditional image of a person lying on a couch and talking to a psychiatrist. Most therapists -- which may include psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed therapists and other mental health professionals -- base their work on one of three main approaches:

psychoanalysis
behavior therapy
humanistic therapies
Of course, many therapists draw from several methods to discover what works best for a particular client.

Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis is the grandparent of psychotherapies, dating back more than 100 years to the work of Sigmund Freud.

A focus on unconscious thinking: Freud's breakthrough discovery was the concept of the unconscious mind. If you've ever sensed that you act for reasons you don't understand, then you've experienced the power of the unconscious.
Freud pioneered techniques to delve into the unconscious mind. For example, he asked clients to describe their dreams in detail. He also used free association, in which you state the first thing that comes to mind after hearing a certain word or seeing a certain image.
An emphasis on the past: Psychoanalysis states that your past shapes your present. The goal is gaining insight into patterns that may date back to early childhood.
The role of the therapist: Psychoanalysis emphasizes the relationship between client and therapist. Traditional psychoanalysts may see their clients four or five times each week. The number of visits will depend on your particular situation, however.

Behavior therapy
Behavior therapy contrasts with psychoanalysis on several points.

A focus on behavior: Behaviorists are more interested in actions that can be observed and measured, rather than thoughts or feelings.
An emphasis on the present: According to this approach, you can change patterns of behavior even if you don't know when or how they began. You learned those patterns at some point, and you can learn to change them as well.
The role of the therapist: Behavior therapists point to the environment as the source of behavior. Many behaviors -- even those that lead to suffering -- deliver some kind of reward. For example, although gambling can have devastating personal and financial consequences, compulsive gamblers crave the thrill of a potential win. Behavior therapists help you change your environment so that self-defeating behaviors are no longer rewarded.
Note: Today, many therapists combine insights from behavior therapy with a belief that thoughts or feelings are still important. According to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, the way you think about events influences the way you act.
Cognitive-behavioral therapists look for distortions in thinking. Negative thinking is often based on absolute statements: For example, "I fail at everything I try to do." With this type of therapy, you'll learn to dispute such beliefs and replace them with more rational ones: "Even successful people fail sometimes," or, "I can learn from mistakes, and meet my goals in the future."

Humanistic therapies
There are various types of humanistic therapies, but they tend to agree on certain points.

An emphasis on the present and future: Carl Rogers, a key figure in this field, emphasized the immediate experience of his clients. Rather than focusing on mental illness, he believed in each person's capacity for mental health and possibilities for the future.
A focus on thinking and feeling: You can learn to accept your thoughts and feelings as they unfold from moment to moment. If you do this, the solutions to your problems will ultimately become clear to you.
The role of the therapist: Rogers described an effective therapist as someone who helps clients clarify the changes they want to make. The therapist is a trustworthy guide rather than an authority figure.

Finding a therapist
To find a therapist, start by asking your doctor for a referral. Also ask family members and friends for recommendations. Your health insurance company also may direct you to certain therapists.

When you find a potential therapist, ask questions:

What is your training and background? (Keep in mind that licensing requirements may vary from state to state.)
What type of psychotherapy do you prefer? What happens during a typical session?
What are your office hours and fees?
How many sessions can I expect?
How long does each session last?
Can I contact you if I have an emergency?
What types of insurance do you accept?
Do you specialize in treating certain conditions?
To get the most out of therapy, be willing to consider new ideas and give the process time. Remember, it's normal to face discomfort or disagreement while the therapist challenges your misconceptions. If you don't sense any improvement within a reasonable amount of time, however, bring this up with your therapist. Or, consider seeing someone else if you don't feel the therapist is a good match for your personality or communication style. You have a right to a high quality of life -- and a therapist who can help you find it.

moonlight52

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Re: Therapy - what is it?
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2006, 11:34:17 PM »
Therapy is working to untie emotional knots

My first therapist was a woman named Sybil yep thats right and she worked with me for ten years
She used hypnoses , dream therapy and regression. She had me stomp around the room to get in touch with anger .
She taught me to use a tennis racket and slam on a pillow .
The pillow did not seem to care. Also I experienced a trust and love that was very dear we did love each other in a big sis little sis way.
She held me , she is an incredible person .Ten years is a long time she helped me save myself.

A few years went by and I needed help but this time something told me I needed a psychiatrist .So some unseen force led me to the doctor I have now.
And at first it looked like I was suffering from panic attacks and they were happening full blown panic attacks .Meds helped that then the attacks vanished .
But I kept going .Then it turned out I was Bipolar and now I am on meds for that and I am better than ever.

Therapy is trust and compassion and a lot of peeling layers and looking under rocks .Lucky for me for being a person prone to fear I always knew I had to face
what ever it was I had to face .                            Not easy but the work is as hard as it has to be.

luv
m


WRITE

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Re: Therapy - what is it?
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2006, 10:03:27 AM »
I think for me therapy has been someone pointing out the blood obvious in such a way as I could see/ hear it!

Nothing came out in therpay which I did not exactly know, but I learned to reframe a lot and to overcome denial and I am still on the path to personal fulfillment.

My therapist says very little, but her small answers are succinct and what I take away to think about.

Like Thursday, I told her a bit about the El Crusho guy, and said I was wary because I had a tendency to be attracted to guys who...

I ran out of steam and she said softly ' can be sadistic'.

I would never have seen it so clearly but she is right- every man I have ever had a strong attraction for has had this sadistic streak; it certainly gave me a lot to think about & I'm still thinking!

She's a well-qualified psychologist. I have found the psychiatrists too reliant on the medical nmodel of 'fixing' and prescribing. That was a typo- 'nmodel', I meant to type just 'model'  but actually it's quite accurate. Their n traits did bug me!

I don't think I could manage my illness ( or the rest of my life ) without therapy. I go back every time I get overwhelmed or stuck.

Hopalong

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Re: Therapy - what is it?
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2006, 02:13:04 PM »
Oh wow.
Quote
I ran out of steam and she said softly ' can be sadistic'

I can relate to this, Write. Not every man, in my case...but a few of them definitely toyed with my vulnerability in a way that seemed quite pleased.

Shudder. The last Nbf, definitely.

Eerrrgghh..

Now, I'm less vulnerable, I think. I still fixate on the unavailable at times, but at least their characters are improving.

That moment about El Crusho sounded like such an eye-opener.
Protective for your future, too...

One less red flag looking like a pretty pink scarf in a gift box.  :?

Hops
"That'll do, pig, that'll do."

WRITE

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Re: Therapy - what is it?
« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2006, 09:34:18 PM »
That moment about El Crusho sounded like such an eye-opener.
Protective for your future, too...

One less red flag looking like a pretty pink scarf in a gift box. 


El Crusho I was attracted to because he was so different- though I have to say it's not entirely comfortable yet either to slip out of a pattern...

But he's oblivious in a different way....his culture is different than mine for one thing ( native TX Southern Baptist! I know, I know...) But I am so passionate compared to him, he seems cold when I know he's not being, it's just the differences between  us. And that's what he's attracted to- my lack of inhibitions- then he's repelled by same; ditto his reserve with me. We can't seem to get on the same page, last time we went out was very very deep but religious values are very important to me, when he said he preferred men to be in charge of religious matters I sort-of let rip!

Oh well, I gues the missed connections are getting nearer the target! And I do think it's best to be myself, I'd rather scare someone off than get more involved and go into my whole rationale-salvage-let-me-compromise-dear routine...

Who was your last Nbf Hops?

Hopalong

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Re: Therapy - what is it?
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2006, 09:47:56 PM »
About 2 years ago now, I spent a year as the gf of a commitment-phobic, charming, manipulative, talented local man. I had known him years ago professionally and spotted him online on a dating site.

It was never real, and never deep, and I healed pretty quickly. But I found him so repellent and transparently N in hindsight that I felt that scales had fallen off my eyes. He used me up and tossed me aside.

Only time and new choices will tell...

Hops
"That'll do, pig, that'll do."

WRITE

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Re: Therapy - what is it?
« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2006, 10:04:22 PM »
Only time and new choices will tell...

yup. Will it be learning a new pattern or re-adapting the old  :)

I'm not so sure our sexual preferences are reprogrammable....

When I start to get that 'I really must have him...' feeling I intend to tell myself brusquely 'not you mustn't!' and walk away smartly.

( nb. how come the repressive parent in my head is never anywhere to be heard at that moment???? Won't shut up other times.... )

Hope you meet someone nice soon Hops. You said someone said they love you from your past...?

Hopalong

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Re: Therapy - what is it?
« Reply #7 on: November 14, 2006, 12:15:45 AM »
thanks, Write. I know my fire is banked only temporarily...I am looking forward to opening up to new people...I remember reckless "pickups" in my youth but that's not what I want. So when the time is right (not yet, later this winter maybe)...I'll step out again.

The love came from someone unavailable who was feeling nostalgic, so all that must stay banked too.

Sigghh.

I am sorry for the frustration you're feeling too. Is there a particular way or particular type of place where you feel you can meet nice men?

Hops
"That'll do, pig, that'll do."

WRITE

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Re: Therapy - what is it?
« Reply #8 on: November 14, 2006, 08:56:53 AM »
well at least you can close the door on it- it's so good getting older and accepting there are places we don't need to go!

Is there a particular way or particular type of place where you feel you can meet nice men?

Think I'll start a thread about that.