Have you ever seen a therapist?

[Nashville]

I know this question is personal, feel free not to answer.

I'm considering seeing a therapist, but I'm not really sure if it's worth it, or how likely it is to help. Nothing is really "wrong" in my life, but I sometimes feel like talking to an unbiased professional might help me sort some work/relationship/parenting/nagging thoughts out.

Then I forget about it and convince myself that I can work it out myself, despite sometimes feeling overwhelmed and stressed. I'm also a person who is easily embarrassed and the thought of telling my thoughts to a stranger is intimidating.

So what's your opinion/experience? Is a mental tune up now and then essential? Did it help a great deal? Or did you end up feeling worse... which is kind of my fear at the moment...

 

[elrohwen]

Nope, but then I'm the child of psychologists, so I consider my mom to be my free therapist She's very good! She's careful not to offer too much advice unless I ask, but if I do ask she tells me what she would tell a client.

 

[Nashville]

Haha Elrohwen, I come from a family of chronic worriers (and over-reactors)!

 

[NewEnglandLady]

I saw a therapist when my relationship was in limbo (me=ready for marriage, him=not ready for marriage). I did lean on family and friends, but what I really needed was something more than that. I talked through my plans to leave the relationship with the therapist and he helped me to identify the things within myself that made me attracted to a man who was hyper independent. Did I really need a therapist to give myself and internal deadline and undrestand why I wasn't attracted to a typical family-man type? No. But it did help at a time in my life when I was frustrated, confused and hurt. When I left the relationship I stopped seeing him and haven't gone back. I just needed it at that point in my life.

ETA: Sometimes I think about going back to one. Like you, I'm content with my life, in fact I'm really happy right now, but there are still things I "worry" about, particularly my fear of becoming a parent, haha.

 

[Amber St. Clare]

Yes, I see one regularly every 4-6 weeks.

I'm bi-polar and my meds have to be monitored. I also had to learn to live with the diagnosis. I've had great success moderating my behavior and dealing with things that bother me rather than shoveling things aside until they overwhelmed me.

 

[radiantquest]

I have seen one before. My concern was that I didnt know this person how was I supposed to feel comfortable telling someone my personal information. All in all I dont feel that it was worth it for me. He really didnt give me any insight into my situation that I didnt already have. I can tell you though that it is exhausting. I always came home tired afterwards. For the most part he just told me that I was right and that he agreed with my opinion of the situation. If all you are looking for is someone to talk to that is not biased then I would say it may be beneficial for you. If you are having issues with certain aspects of your life and things like that I am not sure that this would help. Then again, it may just be that my guy wasnt very good.

 

[kenny]

Yes, and it helped a great deal.

I had a GOOD one for me.
You need a GOOD one for you
I have no idea how to find a GOOD one for you.

You need a GOOD one.
Good does not mean just good; good means GOOD for you.

The only thing I can offer to help determine if the match is good is if you get the feeling you can have a relationship with that person.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Yes, I see a therapist weekly. It has been very helpful to me, even though I haven't brought up a lot of issues with him yet.

Kenny brings up a very important point: you need to find a therapist that is a good fit for you. Before I found my professional, I had a few trial sessions with 2 other professionals. Both highly respected and well recommended, but both a terrible fit for me for several reasons. One was quite the stereotypical analyst (imagine Freud sitting on his wing chair, nodding his head and saying a very artificial "uh-hum" to everything you said - or didn't say) and I just felt terrible in that enviroment. If I hadn't been told to "shop around", I would have imagined that was the way it was supposed to be and just dropped the idea altogether.

 

[Callisto]

No but I wish I would have taken more advantage of the free services offered in college. I just think it would be nice to have an unbiased view of my life events sometimes.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

No, but my mom does. It has helped her a lot! She's much more positive, less self critical, copes with situations better, and found something to help treat her social anxiety disorder. She's lucky she found one that she can open up to in my small hometown.

 

[Loves Vintage]

Yes, several! I agree with Kenny. You must find the right one for you. I received lots of help from the last therapist I visited. I had spent several months, maybe 4 months with one, and 8 months with another, over the course of a few years. It was great to talk about my problems with them, but I was not really receiving feedback that was helpful to me. I just sort of clicked with the third one. She helped me a great deal. I haven't seen her in a few years because I haven't needed to, but I am very thankful for the time I spent with her. I feel like she really helped me to get my life straightened out.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, and it helped a lot. I've seen many throughout the course of my life. I've gone when I was trying to save my marriage (now ex). It didn't help with that, but it helped me save myself and to become confident in my ability to be a better mother and a better person by finally getting out. I also saw one when dealing with some major issues regarding my parents. I don't want to go into those details, but the counseling helped IMMENSELY.

You have to find one that is right for you, I agree 100% w/that statement. You also have to be in a place mentally/emotionally where you are willing to do the work that it takes to get to the root of issues and solve them. I've heard, and experienced first hand the "if you come out feeling like #$#@, you're truly working on your issues" sentiment. It's a mentally and emotionally taxing experience, but SO worth the outcome.

 

[stephbolt]

Yes I have, it was a huge help to me. I struggled with pretty bad anxiety and depression prior to finding my therapist. She specializes in cognitive-behavioral therapy, which for my particular issues was a huge help. I learned to identify what patterns of thinking caused my anxiety and now can generally stop them before they get bad.

 

[stepcutgirl]

Yes. I had some issues that I needed help with a few years ago. I saw her every week for about 8-9 months. Now I see her when I need to which is about 2xs a year. When I get to see her I feel very happy, like I'm going to see my best friend.

Kenny brings up an excellent point. I met with 3 therapists before finding the woman I see now. Each of the other 3 said all the right things and recommended much of the same stuff my now therapist does but I felt no connection with them.

 

[Nashville]

This had made me feel a lot better about starting this whole process. I made an appointment to see someone next week for a trial session. If I like her I'll continue and give it a fair chance, and if I don't feel we click I'll look at other options. Thanks to everyone who has replied so honestly!

 

[movie zombie]

yes.

note: not all are created equal just as all diamonds and color stones are not created equal therefore it is necessary to shop around.

MoZo

 

[lyra]

Good for you Nash! I believe everyone should try some therapy at some point. I have yet to meet a person who wouldn't have benefitted in some way from it, even for smaller issues.

 

[LGK]

yes.

note: not all are created equal just as all diamonds and color stones are not created equal therefore it is necessary to shop around.

MoZo

Yep, ditto. Some therapists are just a terrible match for you and don't even try to force it if they are.

I currently am not seeing anyone but during college and HS I definitely did. Big help at times.

 

[Nashville]

I'll definitely "shop around" so to speak. I have been to family counseling before, but that was years ago. It's been a long time since I analyzed anything going on in my own mind!

 

[Shoopy]

Yes.

Ever since the birth of my daughter, I developed severe anxiety problems. At first I brushed it off as new parent phobia but as the months went on, it got increasingly worse and I also started developing depression and OCD behaviors.

I went to a therapist and it was the best decision I have ever made. I can't even begin to tell you how much it has improved my life.

 

[Nashville]

Yes.

Ever since the birth of my daughter, I developed severe anxiety problems. At first I brushed it off as new parent phobia but as the months went on, it got increasingly worse and I also started developing depression and OCD behaviors.

I went to a therapist and it was the best decision I have ever made. I can't even begin to tell you how much it has improved my life.

Becoming a parent has contributed a lot to my anxiety overall. I'm finally getting to the point where I'm just admitting it and getting help, rather than feeling guilty about it. I love my daughter so much, and that in itself can be really overwhelming because I feel like being anything less than a "perfect" parent would be the end of the world. I just can't live up to my own insane expectations.

 

[Amber St. Clare]

Yes.

Ever since the birth of my daughter, I developed severe anxiety problems. At first I brushed it off as new parent phobia but as the months went on, it got increasingly worse and I also started developing depression and OCD behaviors.

I went to a therapist and it was the best decision I have ever made. I can't even begin to tell you how much it has improved my life.

Becoming a parent has contributed a lot to my anxiety overall. I'm finally getting to the point where I'm just admitting it and getting help, rather than feeling guilty about it. I love my daughter so much, and that in itself can be really overwhelming because I feel like being anything less than a "perfect" parent would be the end of the world. I just can't live up to my own insane expectations.

I've been a parent for 24+ years and have had to accept that, despite my best intentions, there is NO SUCH THING as a perfect parent no matter how hard I try.

 

[Arkteia]

Twice as part of my residency program, I did not like the first one, the second fired me because she said that some people did not need therapists (I was too intimidated by her and did not know what to tell. Plus, she practiced "scream therapy" and it was definitely not my cup of tea). But I chose a good one for my son.

If you think of seeing a therapist, then, among other things, you want someone to listen to your story. It is important to find someone you'd like to open up to.

I would talk to someone who is dealing with many therapists because of his profession - a psychiatrist you know, a PCP. And make a list of things that are important to you. Do you prefer a woman or a man? Age? (May be important). Would you like the person to provide family therapy as well? Religious or liberal? In short, who would you feel comfortable with?

I keep a list of people I work with - some of them are great with borderline patients, some work well with mood disorders, some work with gender identity issues, some deal with I-net adidction. There are some specializing in PTSD... what not. That is why it is important to talk to a psychiatrist - even if you never saw one, a friend may have one who she likes. Ask her to ask her psychiatrist to refer her friend (you) to the one he knows personally. Each of us keeps such lists. On top of it, we usually know which insurances people accept, and it is a huge deal these days.

Oh, and try to obtain several names. Some doctors refer only to counselors within their offices, and I consider it bad practice.

 

[that_someone_special]

I have off and on for the last 11 years

I think everyone needs therapy though. I recommend it.. especially if you have a small co-pay. My therapist is a non-biased person that I can talk to, or talk things through ... I've been seeing her since Dec '08.

 

[Haven]

I've never seen a therapist because I've never felt the need.
However, I have good friends who have had wonderful experiences with therapists, and credit them for saving their lives.

 

[Laila619]

No. I don't feel they are all that helpful, because from what I understand, they don't give opinions or suggestions. They just listen.

 

[zhuzhu]

Twice as part of my residency program, I did not like the first one, the second fired me because she said that some people did not need therapists (I was too intimidated by her and did not know what to tell. Plus, she practiced "scream therapy" and it was definitely not my cup of tea). But I chose a good one for my son.

If you think of seeing a therapist, then, among other things, you want someone to listen to your story. It is important to find someone you'd like to open up to.

I would talk to someone who is dealing with many therapists because of his profession - a psychiatrist you know, a PCP. And make a list of things that are important to you. Do you prefer a woman or a man? Age? (May be important). Would you like the person to provide family therapy as well? Religious or liberal? In short, who would you feel comfortable with?

I keep a list of people I work with - some of them are great with borderline patients, some work well with mood disorders, some work with gender identity issues, some deal with I-net adidction. There are some specializing in PTSD... what not. That is why it is important to talk to a psychiatrist - even if you never saw one, a friend may have one who she likes. Ask her to ask her psychiatrist to refer her friend (you) to the one he knows personally. Each of us keeps such lists. On top of it, we usually know which insurances people accept, and it is a huge deal these days.

Oh, and try to obtain several names. Some doctors refer only to counselors within their offices, and I consider it bad practice.

Psychiatrists and psychologists are two very different track of professions. Unless the patient is sick with confirmed psychiatric illnesses or are prodromes who require new or modified medications, seeing psychiatrist on the regular basis can be somewhat wasteful of resources IMO.

Well-trained psychologists can help majority of "normal" people to think through their problems and improved their cognitive ability to break bad habits... etc. Effective therapy with a therapists who is right for you definitely can help, not hurt.

 

[Nashville]

No. I don't feel they are all that helpful, because from what I understand, they don't give opinions or suggestions. They just listen.

Sure they listen, but they also guide you into better understanding of your thought/action process. They can also help you articulate thoughts and feelings you may not have been able to pinpoint on your own so that they make better sense. Plus talking to an unbiased, trained professional allows for a level of communication most people wouldn't feel comfortable having with a friend or family member.

 

[kenny]

I think everyone has see a therapist one time or another.
There are just so many of them, but they blend in.

Probably every time you enter a shopping mall you see a few of them.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

No. I don't feel they are all that helpful, because from what I understand, they don't give opinions or suggestions. They just listen.

Sure they listen, but they also guide you into better understanding of your thought/action process. They can also help you articulate thoughts and feelings you may not have been able to pinpoint on your own so that they make better sense. Plus talking to an unbiased, trained professional allows for a level of communication most people wouldn't feel comfortable having with a friend or family member.

Laila - have your ever seen a therapist?

My therapist does a lot more than just listen. While he would never tell me what to do, he questions my motivations and reactions and helps me to understand other people's motivations and reactions; e helps me see bias I didn't know I had and connects dots I wouldn't have connected on my own and often "forces" me to admit things I don't want to admit (why, yes, I did want to quit my job). All of this helps immensely when I have to make decisions.