Is counseling/therapy a panacea?

[alphamale]

Ok, so lots of people here post questions asking for advice and I see many replies that say "Oh, you need counseling or therapy".

 

Is counseling/therapy a panacea?

 

Does it cure all that ails everyone? Or is it just a cop out to tell people they should see a professional vs. trying to work on their problems first.

 

What are people's experiences with counseling and therapy? Was it successful or not? Was it cost-effective? Did your professional counselor/therapist know what they were doing?

 

I want answers here!

[tattoomytoe]

the only therapy i liked that i had was group therapies where we did a lot of cognative therapy.

 

i liked the group stuff, cause you are there with yout peers, it is not all about what YOU need to do.

 

i have had Psychiatrists, psychologists, conselors.... i like the psychologists i was with the best.

 

but, also, when i was first Forced into therapy, for an eating disorder, i hatyed it, i made up stuff to tell my docs, and they knew it too. i was fired by 2 docs.

and it is good for some peole to talk out the problems to someone who is supposed to have better coping alternatives, as oppossed to their friend, who may or may not know s***.

 

but i would not recommend it to everyone.

 

Alpha, one thing to contemplate.... i would say a large majority of persons using LS would be great candidates for therapy. They have already expressed some interest in getting help for their problems, and some even want to change their old patterns.... so this is pretty fair advice for most LS-ers.

[savethedrama4allama]

When I go to counseling, the therapist asks me specific questions and I talk and talk. This shakes my head up like a snowglobe, allowing my thoughts and feelings to re-settle in a more clear, organized, understandable pattern.

 

I just think its a good thing to do when you can't find the answers yourself. Also, if you are trying to tell your significant other something and they won't listen, they often consider it more seriously from a third person (the therapist).

[whichwayisup]

I never used to believe in therapy. Quacks ya know?? Then I got this f**k'n anxiety disorder and HAD to see somebody about it otherwise I think I'd be totally more insane than I actually am now!!

 

She has honestly been a blessing in disguise for me. I've learned how to face my fears, handle my attacks head on, fight it hard and not be scared of living life...Yeah I still have my off days but overall I'm OK.

 

Therapy isn't anything to be ashamed of. We all go through our ups and down in life. NOONE is happy ALL the time and everybody goes through bouts of mild depression. Why not get help if it will better you, help you cope in life? I used to be really ashamed and embarressed of what others would think of me- the gossiping and wonder why this and that...Well, I don't care anymore because I'm working on ME and becoming stronger, wiser and learning alot about myself.

 

Part of it covered under my insurance plan. The rest I pay out myself...But that is okay by me as I know right now this is what I need.

[Nine]

Hiya Alphamale,

 

What a great question and one that I have struggle with in the past.

Some things I've realized in my experiences with therapy...

 

1. The therapist's job is to help the client know themselves better. This was a BIG realization to me. I stopped thinking of my T as the one with all the answers and started looking within myself more.

 

2. There are poor therapists out there, but there are also therapists that are really, really good.

 

3. I had to find a therapist that worked for me. Someone I could eventually trust. (Can't say it happened right away).

 

4. It is best to learn as much as possible about the therapy process. There are many books and websites with a wealth of info.

 

5. The unconcious is a powerful thing and that many times we are not aware of what are true motivations are. A good therapy helps uncover that.

 

So, no I don't think it is a panacea. I see it as a process or a tool that can truly make significant changes in the way a person thinks/feels.

 

Ciao,

Nine

[Spira]

I've only been going to therapy for a few weeks, and I'm starting to contemplate how beneficial this is going to be for me... I don't feel like I'm getting very much out of it.

[tiki]

I've never been but I think I need it.

 

Btw, wtf is panacea?

[Spira]

pan·a·ce·a (n.):

A remedy for all diseases, evils, or difficulties; a cure-all.

[alphamale]

Originally posted by tiki

I've never been but I think I need it.

 

Btw, wtf is panacea?

 

TIKI, it means a cure all or one thing that will fix everything.

[tiki]

ty. I think we could all use a little bit o counseling.

[tattoomytoe]

Weed is my panacea.

[savethedrama4allama]

Originally posted by tattoomytoe

Weed is my panacea.

 

 

[Pocky]

I suggest therapy or counseling when it is apparent that:

 

1) The person is incapable of logically solving their own problem.

2) There is an addiction.

3) There are multiple parties involved that are unable to solve their problems.

4) There is a medical condition that compromises their quality of life.

[DinNJ]

I tried the therapy thing once.... was heart broken over an ex that kept breaking up with me and sleeping with other guys. Self asteem was so low, that I kept finding myself taking her back and wanted to know why I was addicted to the 'bad relationship'. Therapist wanted to know why I was paying $90.00/hr out of pocket for a therapist when my ex was out f***kin' someone else. Yes, she was very blunt. Eventually it sank in that I had lost my self respect to a girl who looked good on the outside, but was horrible on the inside. It's true what they say... looks aren't everything and eventually they wear off. Of course, she was pretty hot.

 

Ugh.... therapy... my new therapy is talking to every Tom, Dick and Harry that'll listen.

[blind_otter]

Originally posted by tattoomytoe

Weed is my panacea.

 

What TTMT said.

 

No, really, though, besides smoking pot on a daily basis for the past 6 years, I have been in therapy for about 7 years, off and on. It saved me from killing myself.

 

The therapist is a guide, not a cure-all. Their role is to be supportive, to listen, to help you have insights into your own behavior. Talking to regular folks can confound a problem - you can self-talk yourself in circles. Negative self-talk is a big part of depression.

 

A lot of people have major issues but either they get a sh*tty therapist or they don't seek help at all - sure you can survive, and copy, but that doesn't necessarily mean you are satisfied with your life.

 

But as with quitting drugs, it's all about the effort and the desire of the client.

[savethedrama4allama]

BTW, I know the only reason you know what the word "panacea" means and thought to use it is because of the club in Detroit.

 

 

llama

[alphamale]

Originally posted by DinNJ

Eventually it sank in that I had lost my self respect to a girl who looked good on the outside, but was horrible on the inside. It's true what they say... looks aren't everything and eventually they wear off. Of course, she was pretty hot.

 

Ain't that the truth DinNJ?!? Beautiful women can control and manipulate most men very easily and many time without the men even knowing it.

 

Been there done that. That is why I now preach the "tough love" attitude towards women.

alpha

[alphamale]

Originally posted by savethedrama4yrmama

BTW, I know the only reason you know what the word "panacea" means and thought to use it is because of the club in Detroit.

 

 

llama

 

no way man. i'm smart, i went to detroit country day for private high school

[savethedrama4allama]

Originally posted by alphamale

 

 

no way man. i'm smart

 

 

alpha, you know how I hate liars

[DinNJ]

Ain't that the truth DinNJ?!? Beautiful women can control and manipulate most men very easily and many time without the men even knowing it.

 

Yup, she had so much control, that I quit therapy for her. Thought I had the strength to give it one more chance... after having gave at least 30 of em' This was after I found myself face to face with her and her new man. Apparently the grass wasn't greener on the other side and she was playing both myself and the new guy. He walked after giving her a verbal beatdown in front of us both...as I cheered him on under my breath. Of course... weak me ended up having sex with her 10 minutes later. (self respect completely gone now) It wasn't long after that I realized, all she was, was a pretty face with a cold heart, but one hell of an ass. Then eventually I realized, the only thing good about the relationship was her ass and the sex. OMG, I grew up!!! 3.5 years later and $1800.00 in therapy sessions. Little did I know, I should've listen to my friends the day I met her. Lesson learned.

 

Even the girl (friend) that's gave me problems recently was very attractive, but played the insecure *I don't know how pretty I am* game. Then SHE bamboozeled me. There's alot of truth to the song... "If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life.... getta an ugly wife"

[tattoomytoe]

Originally posted by DinNJ

There's alot of truth to the song... "If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life.... getta an ugly wife"

 

 

Goes for ugly men too.

[jellybean]

Originally posted by alphamale

I want answers here!

 

Hey alpha...

 

I'm going for my first session later this afternoon...I'll let you know how it goes.

[alphamale]

Originally posted by jellybean

Hey alpha...

 

I'm going for my first session later this afternoon...I'll let you know how it goes.

 

ok

[johan]

I've done it. I did group therapy once and also individual.

 

Group was more fun. They were both interesting. I ended up being kind of dominant in the group therapy for various reasons. Not because I sought to dominate, but more for entertainment reasons and because I'm insightful. I came away with no cures, but I learned some things.

 

I think of therapy more like a class than like a visit to the doctor. I learned things that helped me deal with people better than I did before. I learned some things about myself. But the benefits came years later, mostly due to an application of lessons learned than it was that suddenly something clicked and I was all better.

 

I think the best the average troubled person can hope for is understanding. A "cure" in many cases would equate to switching off natural emotional responses to events and situations. There is usually a reason you feel the way you do. A good one.

[shamen]

I like going to see a therapist. Psychologist, specifically. This is my 4th round in my life of seeing one. I go to see one when my life is a mess and I'm one too.

 

I saw one at 12 or so for a bout with anorexia. 18 or so for depression. 24 for my job choice in life: was I doing what I should be doing? Now at 35 to get over and leave an alcoholic drug abusing crappy ex-bf. I needed the strength to walk away and remember who I was. I had forgotten.

 

I believe that there are points in our lives where many of us probably could use talking to a therapist (and I completely agree with the poster who said earlier that sometimes just talking to our friends isn't enough) to help sort out where we are. They ask questions of us that sometimes we are afraid to answer. Make us think about the decisions that we're making, instead of letting us just become complacent about what we're doing and living our lives without a deeper contemplation. That's why I like going so much. The "forcing me to look at what I'm doing" thing that I'm not always so good at.