Posted by beardedlady on May 29, 2002, at 6:39:21
In reply to Re: frustrated with therapy » katekite, posted by sid on May 28, 2002, at 22:51:57
My therapist, who I desperately need to see right now (if I could just remember to call him today!), usually has answers for me. They're the kind of "duh" answers you could think of for yourself, but you just don't. I had a bunch of medical issues, too, and when we get to them, he's very reassuring, and he has these little anecdotes, which he'll follow with, "ever since then, I have decided I will not worry until there's something to worry about." It's stupid stuff, really, but it works for me.
I think of the therapist that says, "what do YOU think?" as very Bob Newhart. I didn't think they did that anymore. I really thought most therapists tried to help us cope. I've had assignments from mine to make lists and do all sorts of things, including "have fun," which sounds really silly, but I actually did start to have fun.
But the major insight I got from him was that I was stifling some creative energies, that I had some sort of block, and once I began working on "projects" and made sure I always had a "project" going on, I would sleep again.
He was right. And now I'm having a relapse of insomnia, and I am realizing that my work has, essentially, stopped, and that I have no projects. It looks like the day that I'll be embarking on one, even though I'm exhausted and frightened.
So my therapist works; there you have it. That advice came from our first through third sessions, over a year ago. In that time, I've had only three or four bad patches lasting a week or two.
I guess what I'm trying to say is you have to like your therapist, and he has to be working for you--even after six months. And if not, you should find a more "hands on" type--someone who will impart advice or words of wisdom, rather than letting you talk the whole time. I find that irritates me. I know what I feel. I want some coping skills. I want to know what to do about how I feel. I want a plan.
I hope you get those things. It sounds like that's what you want.
beardy : )>
poster:beardedlady
thread:157
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20020516/msgs/161.html