me_irl

It's only the average experience if you have shit therapists.

I had two different ones as a kid/young adult (years apart) and they both fucking sucked and made me not want to do therapy.

As an adult (and someone who cares about their mental health), when my partner finally convinced me to go back I researched who was covered and would line up with my values/personality, and I interviewed a couple of them before I found the one that seemed to mesh with me. Spending the time to find someone who was LGBTQ+ and kink/poly friendly at a minimum was well worth the time spent.

Been with my therapist for over a year now, and I've made so much progress that both of my primary partners have commented on how much better I'm taking things.

Tl:dr - find a better therapist

Don’t hesitate to find a new therapist either. It can be a lot of work when starting with a new therapist but you owe it to yourself to find someone who you trust and will actually provide the support you need

Not really therapy is amazing

You've either had bad therapists, or you aren't doing what is suggested. Dont go to faith based therapy, a lot of them never got any form of education or certification.

If that’s your experience, either you’ve had shitty therapists or unrealistic expectations.

The patient being the one on the left or the right?

What the "reject progress, embrace stupidity" meme is this anti-therapy shit?

Therapy fucking rocks.

Get a better therapist. It took me a few tries to find one that worked for me.

I definitely need to find one after moving but the wait times are usually so long...

I’m stuck in a conservative area so it’s like this but eventually the brick wall will suggest christianity.

Therapy saved my life. Without therapy i would still take very heavy medication, because the meds are just for stabilizing the situation; now, many years later, i am down to 2 meds with smaller dosage (a mood stabilizer and an anxietolytic) after starting with 5 meds (2 SSRI's, neuroleptics and the beforementioned 2), high dosage and being dead inside.

That makes a large difference in life quality, and it's worth the work.

I used Betterhelp during the pandemic. I had two really good therapists (actual trained therapists) and three really bad ones who were just social workers who were just dialing it in.

The therapists who were good were great at just asking questions and having me come to my own conclusions. They guide you to clarity.

The shitty social workers just gave me homework. They were following whatever 8-step program they were taught in night school.

Not saying every social worker sucks. Maybe they work for a lot of people.

Yeah. I saw a therapist a decade ago while suicidal and he really helped me. I'm grateful for that. But at one point he started to tell and repeat me what I told him I didn't like others were saying to me, and I was not ready. It pushed me away and I never went back.

Then I looked for another therapist. The second one was okay but it didn't work out. We did a few sessions but I didn't think it was "worth" $125 an hour.

The third one told me it was all my fault during the first session and nearly brought up religion. He was stuck with communities and how I should push myself to fit in one. It lasted exactly one session.

I guess I was lucky to stumble upon a therapist that really helped me even if it couldn't continue. And I guess I am the brick wall anyway.

And as much as I know it's not exactly that clear cut, I feel like therapists are part of the capitalist system to help people cope with it. The first one clearly didn't like it when I said I thought most people had some sort of Stockholm syndrome towards our abusive capitalist society.

It reminds me of a Bad Religion song.

All my scientists are working on a deadline.

So my psychologist is working day and night time

A few years ago I watched a video from a French woman reflecting upon her relationship with her therapist and how much it cost her. She came up with the question: "Am I better off putting €100 on a table, lay on my sofa for an hour, then treat myself with that money, or go to a session with my therapist?" And it stuck with me.

I can't deny therapists and therapy can help, but finding one that works with you, and the price, can be a big obstacle.

I can't get myself to be fully honest and open with my therapist, I don't know why.

The one time I went to a therapist:

Me> I am unhappy and depressed because I am stuck in bad, unhealthy behaviours that will result in me failing at my goals in life.

Therapist> Mmhmm, sounds difficult and stressful. Perhaps you should try letting go of those goals.

(I did not return)

Unfortunately, like with all things in healthcare you have to be your own advocate. There is so much need for providers in healthcare that the worst doctor, nurse, or therapist can almost always find a job somewhere. It's just as hard to find a good provider as it is to find a good mechanic, so it's perfectly reasonable to seek a second or even third opinion.

Therapy without having seen a psychiatrist is often a waste of time, they are often qualified to help you with, say, an BPD diagnosis, but aren't qualified to make it.

So fucking around trying to get you to treat your depression and anxiety at the surface level without knowing that the behaviors driving you to seek therapy have a source and that you can treat it directly.

Granted, seeing a psychiatrist is almost impossible for most people, so I'm not trying to throw shade if you haven't.

But if you're in therapy for a couple of years and you feel like it's beneficial, kinda, but not really getting at the root of things, and you have the insurance, a good psychiatrist can get things on track in a way a therapist simply does not have the training to do.

Missing a slot to put in the $275 after you're done with your 30-min session.

Continue talking the wall is just in your head