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Have you ever had Counselling or Therapy?


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[Poll]

Have you ever had Counselling or Therapy?


Yes
  77% (47)
No
  21% (13)
I'm here, but not saying
  1% (1)


Total Votes : 61
(last vote on : 9/20/2010 6:10:02 AM)
(Poll will run till: -- )
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Have you ever had Counselling or Therapy? - 9/11/2010 4:27:09 AM   
hertz


Posts: 1315
Joined: 8/7/2010
Status: offline 		I am curious. I've heard the advice 'See a Counsellor' several times in the last few weeks and I wonder if seeing a counsellor is something many of us do. I am assuming the Poll allows for anonymous answers (which is ideal), but if you'd like to add a line or two, some opinion or experience, that would be interesting.

For my own part, I started training as a Psychotherapist (Integrative model) some years ago, but quit quite quickly when I realised that actually, I am not as interested in other people as I thought I might be.

As part of my training, I took part in 2 years of non-directed group-work - an hour and a half a week with other trainees. I still rate that as one of the most interesting and frightening experiences of my life.

I also went through 3 years of personal  therapy, which was an interesting and enlightening experience. I don't think it made me a better human being, but it certainly helped me come to terms with my imperfections and I think it has helped me get a better grip on where other people are coming from.

Interestingly, my spell of therapy did help me resolve a problem I was having at the time with depression, in as much as my therapist revealed that he thought I sounded a bit depressed, and that prompted me to go and see a GP and get some Prozac. Now, that was a real eye-opener...

Anyway, over to you...

< Message edited by hertz -- 9/11/2010 4:28:24 AM >
Profile   Post #: 1
RE: Have you ever had Counselling or Therapy? - 9/11/2010 6:39:49 AM   
pahunkboy


Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		When someone posts that here- it means they themself need help, and not the person who is slammed.

Especially in politics section.

(in reply to hertz)
Profile   Post #: 2
RE: Have you ever had Counselling or Therapy? - 9/11/2010 6:42:40 AM   
KatyLied


Posts: 13029
Joined: 2/24/2005
From: Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		Really curious about something you posted.  You went through training and as such had a lot of knowledge and you didn't find it odd or even question it when your therapist sent you to a G.P. for a prescription that changes mental outlook and emotions?  I think a psychiatrist is better trained and equipped to handle that sort of situation.  Just saying,

_____________________________

“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”
- Albert Einstein

(in reply to pahunkboy)
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RE: Have you ever had Counselling or Therapy? - 9/11/2010 6:45:19 AM   
LaTigresse


Posts: 26123
Joined: 1/15/2006
Status: offline 		No. The times in my life when it might have been useful, I didn't have the money. It is expensive. I learned to rely on my self and figure my own shit out. It worked for me.

However, there are people in my life, that have benefitted from professional counselling.

_____________________________

My twisted, self deprecating, sense of humour, finds alot to laugh about, in your lack of one!

Just because you are well educated, articulate, and can use big, fancy words, properly........does not mean you are right!

(in reply to hertz)
Profile   Post #: 4
RE: Have you ever had Counselling or Therapy? - 9/11/2010 7:51:01 AM   
hertz


Posts: 1315
Joined: 8/7/2010
Status: offline
quote:

pahunkboy When someone posts that here- it means they themself need help, and not the person who is slammed.

Especially in politics section

?  I have no idea what this is about.

quote:

you didn't find it odd or even question it when your therapist sent you to a G.P. for a prescription that changes mental outlook and emotions?


Maybe things are different in the US, but here in the UK, my post said: 'my therapist revealed that he thought I sounded a bit depressed, and that prompted me to go and see a GP.... I think a psychiatrist is better trained and equipped to handle that sort of situation.' - in other words, I wasn't 'sent' anywhere, and at no time was the suggestion made that I should see someone. It was my choice to see my GP for medical intervention rather than continuing with therapy. Secondly, it is common practice in the UK for GPs to prescribe psychotropic medications to deal with minor mental distress such as some forms of clinical depression. If my GP had felt it appropriate to refer me on to a consultant psychiatrist, no doubt he would have. Thirdly,  the use of pharmacological therapy to solve situations of mental distress is not be considered a lesser route to mental health wellness than talking therapy. Both have their place, and are of equal worth.

(in reply to LaTigresse)
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RE: Have you ever had Counselling or Therapy? - 9/11/2010 8:19:53 AM   
pahunkboy


Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		This is not exactly a mainstream board.

So a higher per centage will need counciling here.

(in reply to hertz)
Profile   Post #: 6
RE: Have you ever had Counselling or Therapy? - 9/11/2010 8:22:28 AM   
DomImus


Posts: 2004
Joined: 3/17/2009
Status: offline 		My GP will not treat/prescribe for psychiatric issues as he is not a psychiatrist. He will offer referrals only. I like that about him.

(in reply to hertz)
Profile   Post #: 7
RE: Have you ever had Counselling or Therapy? - 9/11/2010 8:23:46 AM   
Termyn8or


Posts: 18681
Joined: 11/12/2005
Status: offline 		"the use of pharmacological therapy to solve situations of mental distress is not be considered a lesser route to mental health wellness than talking therapy. Both have their place, and are of equal worth. "

No offense, but I completely disagree. I would not take those drugs at gunpoint, and if you want the reasons you are looking at a veritable treatise on the subject.

As to the question in the OP, does drunk driving school count ? I've been to two. While both were enlightening to a point, neither made me want to stop drinking. I learned how to drink, hold my liquor so to speak. It was when I realized the possibility that it was adversely affecting my health that I decided to stop. Current legal problem have very little to do with it. I can just about do what I want anyway, I have ways. Others have alluded that my thought process may have suffered, but now that I have been dry for a few weeks they are finding out that I am the same old me. Just as radical and stoic, sometimes aloof etc.

I also know that I am not average. I am also aware that there are alot of people out there who really have nobody (of any use) to whom to talk with about personal issues. That is regrettable.

T

(in reply to hertz)
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RE: Have you ever had Counselling or Therapy? - 9/11/2010 8:42:04 AM   
hertz


Posts: 1315
Joined: 8/7/2010
Status: offline
quote:

quote:

"the use of pharmacological therapy to solve situations of mental distress is not be considered a lesser route to mental health wellness than talking therapy. Both have their place, and are of equal worth. "

No offense, but I completely disagree. I would not take those drugs at gunpoint, and if you want the reasons you are looking at a veritable treatise on the subject.


That would have been my opinion prior to using Prozac. The experience of Prozac utterly changed my mind about the value of pharmacological interventions. But it isn't for everyone, and I guess neither is counselling.

quote:

My GP will not treat/prescribe for psychiatric issues as he is not a psychiatrist. He will offer referrals only. I like that about him.


You're in the US, though. In the UK it is very difficult to get to see a psychiatrist. Generally, to get a Psychiatrist to see you in the UK, you would need to be extremely, life-threateningly ill. If you were in a position to ask for help, you definitely wouldn't get it - you have to be way beyond that point. On saying that, I'm thinking about the NHS - it may be different for those with plenty of money and I imagine private psychiatry will be a possibility in the UK as in the US (I honestly don't know). Certainly when I was struggling I would never have qualified for that sort of help. I was miserable and not functioning especially well, but I was still working, and still able to look out for myself. In the UK, this would not be reason enough for psychiatric support to be offered.







(in reply to Termyn8or)
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RE: Have you ever had Counselling or Therapy? - 9/11/2010 9:14:52 AM   
SubPet715


Posts: 337
Joined: 8/24/2010
From: Brooklyn, NY
Status: offline 		Yes...next question...<_<

_____________________________

Passion isn't really happiness.

(in reply to hertz)
Profile   Post #: 10
RE: Have you ever had Counselling or Therapy? - 9/11/2010 9:16:30 AM   
TheHeretic


Posts: 19100
Joined: 3/25/2007
From: California, USA
Status: offline 		I'm assuming you don't mean "counseling" as the modern, politically correct term for an ass chewing.

_____________________________

If you lose one sense, your other senses are enhanced.
That's why people with no sense of humor have such an inflated sense of self-importance.


(in reply to hertz)
Profile   Post #: 11
RE: Have you ever had Counselling or Therapy? - 9/11/2010 9:31:36 AM   
hertz


Posts: 1315
Joined: 8/7/2010
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: TheHeretic

I'm assuming you don't mean "counseling" as the modern, politically correct term for an ass chewing.


I'm sensing some hostility. Would you like to say some more about that?

(in reply to TheHeretic)
Profile   Post #: 12
RE: Have you ever had Counselling or Therapy? - 9/11/2010 9:33:02 AM   
hertz


Posts: 1315
Joined: 8/7/2010
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: SubPet715

Yes...next question...<_<


If there were a next question, SubPet715, what would it be, I wonder?

(in reply to SubPet715)
Profile   Post #: 13
RE: Have you ever had Counselling or Therapy? - 9/11/2010 9:36:44 AM   
TheHeretic


Posts: 19100
Joined: 3/25/2007
From: California, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: hertz

I'm sensing some hostility. Would you like to say some more about that?




LOL. You must have way too much insulation on those sensors.

_____________________________

If you lose one sense, your other senses are enhanced.
That's why people with no sense of humor have such an inflated sense of self-importance.


(in reply to hertz)
Profile   Post #: 14
RE: Have you ever had Counselling or Therapy? - 9/11/2010 9:38:25 AM   
SubPet715


Posts: 337
Joined: 8/24/2010
From: Brooklyn, NY
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: hertz

quote:

ORIGINAL: SubPet715

Yes...next question...<_<


If there were a next question, SubPet715, what would it be, I wonder?



It would be "Why is your photo so over exposed?"

but...

A less sarcastic question would be "why was I in therapy"

The answer would be that I wasn't in a good place in my life and a friend of mine who was a therapist just thought to give me a session, it didn't do much for me but it was interesting.

_____________________________

Passion isn't really happiness.

(in reply to hertz)
Profile   Post #: 15
RE: Have you ever had Counselling or Therapy? - 9/11/2010 9:51:27 AM   
hertz


Posts: 1315
Joined: 8/7/2010
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: TheHeretic
LOL. You must have way too much insulation on those sensors.


I reckon it might be a language problem. It wasn't until after I posted that I realised you might mean 'ass chewing' literally, as in actually biting someone's ass. Now, this would be therapeutic for sure, but it wasn't exactly what I had in mind.

Funny story - I was once introduced to someone who was an accountant and 'counsellor'. Turned out she was in touch with 'the spirit' (never did get to grips with it) and used communications from the spirit to inform her decision making processes and give her insights into what actions other people should take in a sort of advisory role. Most likely, I think she was as mad as a box of badgers.

It's funny how 'counselling' and 'therapy' are expressions which can mean a whole lot of things.

(in reply to TheHeretic)
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RE: Have you ever had Counselling or Therapy? - 9/11/2010 9:57:52 AM   
hertz


Posts: 1315
Joined: 8/7/2010
Status: offline
quote:

The answer would be that I wasn't in a good place in my life and a friend of mine who was a therapist just thought to give me a session, it didn't do much for me but it was interesting


Therapy is a bit odd. The first few sessions are interesting, but then the whole endeavour takes on a bit of a life of its own. It takes a while to get away from the artificiality of it and into the space where it can work. It makes a difference too that the therapist is someone you don't know or mix with outside of the therapy sessions.

Sometimes though 'not being in a good place' is OK. Obviously it is painful and uncomfortable, but it's about growing as a human being. There's some truth in the saying: 'no pain, no gain', I reckon. But counselling can help a person draw out the learning from that.

(in reply to hertz)
Profile   Post #: 17
RE: Have you ever had Counselling or Therapy? - 9/11/2010 10:05:00 AM   
SubPet715


Posts: 337
Joined: 8/24/2010
From: Brooklyn, NY
Status: offline 		Well...thats what friends are for right? I can talk to my friends about anything I trust them and open up to them, thats my therapy.

_____________________________

Passion isn't really happiness.

(in reply to hertz)
Profile   Post #: 18
RE: Have you ever had Counselling or Therapy? - 9/11/2010 10:13:16 AM   
hertz


Posts: 1315
Joined: 8/7/2010
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: SubPet715

Well...thats what friends are for right? I can talk to my friends about anything I trust them and open up to them, thats my therapy.


I get that, and I don't want to devalue it - I value my friends advice immensely, but counselling is different in one fundamental way which makes all the difference. Your friends want what's best for you. They often want you to be happy, to be 'better'.

Counselling and therapy, done properly is not so interested in that. I remember leaving some of my sessions feeling utterly numb with the pain of whatever had come up for me. A friend might have tried to cheer me up, steer the conversation away from the painful bits and help me. But for the counsellor it's about reflecting and allowing things to be. There's little direction given, just a whole lot of observation and feedback - it's very difficult to explain. It's not uncaring, in fact quite the contrary, I found. But it does allow for misery and pain to be properly experienced and felt.

Put like this, it sounds bloody awful, doesn't it? lol

(in reply to SubPet715)
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RE: Have you ever had Counselling or Therapy? - 9/11/2010 10:16:02 AM   
bellesoumise


Posts: 258
Joined: 8/8/2010
Status: offline 		~FR~

When I was in middle school, I was a horrible child then.

(in reply to SubPet715)
Profile   Post #: 20
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