sirjay Posted June 27, 2006 Share Posted June 27, 2006 I really need to do some counselling. I have been self-counselling and studying a lot for the last few months and worked out a lot of stuff. People seem to be surprised by how well i have figure out things on my own. But i am reaching a number of points that i cant figure out. For example, i know the circumstances of my unhappy childhood have affected my relationships but i dont see how knowing that helps ... Anyway, i can get some free counselling but its only 6 hours and i cant possibly afford to pay for any after. So my questions are directed to people that have had counselling - is 6 hours going to make a difference? And how does understanding how the past affects the present change anything if it is all emotional? Surely knowing doesnt change the way you feel? Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites
laRubiaBonita Posted June 27, 2006 Share Posted June 27, 2006 IMO~ Cognative therapy is the best. It makes you rethink the way you think things, hence it would most like ly take a little longer than 6 weeks, assuming you did one hour a week. But as ALWAYS it does depend on the induvidual and the therapist..... but seemingly, you kinda know what you want, and it seems you maybe willing to change some bad patterns. I wish you all the best! Link to post Share on other sites
Blind Illusion Posted June 30, 2006 Share Posted June 30, 2006 Somewhere , in those 6 hours, you are bound to get some kind of insight or better understanding of something. Therefore, you will already be ahead of when you first walked into the first session. Incidentally, I have gone for counseling with a particular individual for exactly one session. I then moved to someone different. (the hospital worked in a bizarre way) Anyhow, years later, I remarked to myself at just how accurate something the first therapist said and I quickly dismissed it at the time. My point is that you never know when something in those 6 sessions will help you or be significant, especially as you seem like an intuitive and analytical person to begin with. Link to post Share on other sites
Alexandra Posted June 30, 2006 Share Posted June 30, 2006 In theory no, 6 meetings -much less 6 hours- are not nearly enough, but yes, I agree with what was said above, it very much depends on your luck concerning whom the therapist is. Also they can't do any harm so I say go for it. In other words, I would not embarque on a journey with a patient who said he/she can only see me 6 times but from the other side of the fence I understand why they would and had I not known it would be that short... You get my drift Good luck and let us know how it went. Link to post Share on other sites
Xed Posted June 30, 2006 Share Posted June 30, 2006 In other words, I would not embarque on a journey with a patient who said he/she can only see me 6 times but from the other side of the fence I understand why they would and had I not known it would be that short... But say that a thoughtful and intelligent client came to you, gave you a cogent and succinct summary of one particular issue he wants to work on, and asks you, "Do you think we can make progress on this one issue in six hours?" I would think that with some patients and some problems, 6 hours might be long enough to attain a narrowly defined and limited goal. I also agree that cognitive therapy is worth a try here. It takes a long time to identify and work through childhood issues. Reaching transference (where you shift your issues from your parent/s onto the therapist) can take many months. Cognitive therapy can sometimes be a way of getting around an obstacle without necessarily getting to the heart of the obstacle. Link to post Share on other sites
GuySimple Posted July 2, 2006 Share Posted July 2, 2006 Like you I did a lot of self work myself and also think I do a great job. You know yourself best. Experts are great for presenting things or encouraging you to look at particular parts of your life but when it really comes down to it you know what makes you tick. Having said this. Sometimes people are not able to council themself. They are emotionally in a rut and may need help getting out. Even for myself, sometimes it was good to go to someone to get clarification or just to check in. Kind of the same way you go to a doctor for a physical check-up it is good to do an emotional one with a professional. Link to post Share on other sites
Alexandra Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 But say that a thoughtful and intelligent client came to you, gave you a cogent and succinct summary of one particular issue he wants to work on, and asks you, "Do you think we can make progress on this one issue in six hours?" I would think that with some patients and some problems, 6 hours might be long enough to attain a narrowly defined and limited goal. Fair point, on a very narrowly defined issue it may help but I would still put it in the conditional and use "might help" instead of "certainly will help". Then again that's just me, sadly there are plenty of professionals out there who will promise anything to get a few sessions out of someone... Sometimes people are not able to council themself. They are emotionally in a rut and may need help getting out. Can't agree any more, heck if I had a penny for the amount of times that I wish I was back into Dr.E's office! (my mandatory therapist in college.) Link to post Share on other sites
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