Black Dog

Yes as there are some dodgy plumbers out there, there are some dodgy therapists. I even had a therapist start to offload onto me, and it was only because I'd been around the block (and back again) that I spotted it. And left.

It's definitely true that there are good therapists and bad therapists, and there are therapists that get on brilliantly with some people and not so well with others. I suppose that makes it pretty difficult approaching one, because for most people, by the time they go looking for a therapist, they'd really rather like one NOW, because circumstances have usually become pretty dire. The other problem is that stuff that comes up in therapy is often, by its very nature, not that pleasant to face up to. Sometimes the immediate effect of dealing with nasty events from the past is to make you feel a lot worse - so I think it's not always easy to tell if the 'work' you're doing with a therapist is positive or not. The process relies, to a large degree, on trust, which, as some of you have mentioned, isn't always deserved. It's a pretty big ask, IMHO, trying to get someone to make a fundamental change in the way they approach problems. Given the years and years of accrued habits, repeating thought patterns, and messages from friends, family and society at large, it's a wonder that anyone improves at all!

again, only speaking of my own experience, for me the 'analysis paralysis' for me was very much like the metaphor of the man on the bridge trying to work out why his clothes were on fire instead of just jumping in. I believe completely that therapy works for some but for me it didn't because my disease, condition, whatever you call it meant I was unable to be honest since my internal world was so disordered and dishonest. That's why the programme I follow today is often described as 'into action' not 'into talking'. there are some practical steps I have to take and hopefully if I act in the right way, the rest of me will follow! jude "Cacoethes scribendi" http://www.judesworld.net

What a good thread. ;) The last time I visited a therapist, he asked me to talk about my dead son. I don't have a son, nevermind a dead one. The health unit I visited never had the same therapists more than than twice - the new ones had a ton of notes to read over in the course of a few minutes and tended to get stuff totally mixed-up. I gave up and took to drink and drugs. Until I found an ace grad gp who I just clicked with. ;) When the power of love overcomes the love of power, we'll find peace. - Jimi Hendrix

I was lucky enough to have great therapists, shrinks and it helped me no end. It wasn't for depression but my life was very messed up, I should have been depressed about it but wasn't, maybe that was worse. Anyway my therapy did wonders for me, it at least allowed me to release a bundle of stuff and let me put it in some sort of perspective and order. I used to describe it as being like an old junk cupboard under the stairs, it all needed pulling out and putting back in some sort of order. I still get bouts of fucked up/irrational behaviour and moods, but I'm a lot better for the therapy, I understand a lot more. I need to accept there will always be a 'slightly damaged' part of me. I've also done the twelve steps, which was amazing for self-exploration and also helped me no end. Today, as I said, I still get mood swings, which I subdue with medication, but am a lot better off through the councilling. At some stage I hope to leave the meds, but till then. Different horses for different courses, they do all work for individuals, being an addict I need to do them all, ha ha. Craig