Discussion Does therapy work?

[thiswillkillme]

Does it? It's so expensive too.

 

[Meretlein]

It has never done anything for me but I have heard many good stories of it working for other people.

 

[TAW122]

For me, it does absolutely jackshit and is a big waste of time and energy. While I haven't had to pay for mine as most of my mine was at my alma mater (university and college), I'd imagine it would be a waste of money (even on a sliding scale or free counseling). If I had to pay a lot, I'd be even more resentful and bitter than I already am. In my whole life, I have been over at least a dozen therapists, including social workers, and even one psychiatrist (when I was in elementary school). It doesn't do shit for me.

What has truly helped me was being able to find the root problems (by myself of course, since I have no one who understands me IRL), finding my own solutions, and then actively pursuing said solutions. That alone has helped me more than therapy (an anagram for 'prayeth' just for the lolz) and religion itself (I'm an atheist and also skeptical by default so believing without concrete and substantial proof is against my character/nature).

@Meretlein Same here, and yes, I also concur with you that for some people, it helps them which is great for them, but it isn't for everyone (unlike what society, media, and others keep trying to push).

 

[FTL.Wanderer]

Does it? It's so expensive too.

Made things worse for me. This isn't uncommon. When I was in school I knew someone in his 50's who'd been in therapy for ... ... ... 30 years. He admitted he'd only consistently gotten worse.

You might have seen this info sheet by the National Institutes of Mental Health:

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies/index.shtml

Some note-worthies, at least I think, include:

1. "A health professional may suspect or have diagnosed a condition such as depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress or other disorder and recommended psychotherapy as a first treatment..." (How does the professional diagnose a condition? How can the patient be reasonably confident in the diagnosis? Publications cast doubt on the accuracy of diagnosis. I'd want to ask a potential counselor about this.)
2. "An exam by your primary care practitioner can ensure there is nothing in your overall health that would explain your or a loved one's symptoms." (If nothing in our overall health can explain our symptoms, then what's being assessed? The way we feel about things? How do professionals know if the way we feel is reasonable given our life circumstances? What's the "right" way to feel about things like bullying, financial destitution, a painful chronic disease, unemployability or homelessness...? And how likely can "learning to think differently" make us better if our life stresses don't go away or worsen--like age-related illnesses or downward spirals of social problems like custody battles, loss of family...?)

I tried Googling the paper but can't find it with a quick search. If I can later I'll re-post. Years ago I read a research publication assessing outcomes for patients randomized into six groups: MD counselor (psychiatrist), PhD counselor (clinical psychologist), LICSW counselor (social worker specializing in mental health), MFP (family mental health counselor), religion-based counseling, and non-degreed/non-specialist with 72-hours (from memory) of training in "effective listening." The results of the 1-year assessment showed no significant difference in outcomes (psychological batteries) among the six groups based on counselor qualifications. What determined outcome (among the factors I remember) was counselor's listening skills (tested before, during, and after trial by double-blinded team of experts). It's because of studies like this one that professional mental health boards began formally acknowledging the importance of good fit between patient and counselor for effective therapy. You can infer a lot more from this, too...

Best of luck making your decision. Hope you're among the people who find some relief from counseling.

 

[GeorgeJL]

Does it? It's so expensive too.

It works for some and doesn't for others. And often times it can takes years to get any real value out of it.

 

[Kyrok]

I've been to a half dozen or so therapists. All but one sucked. The one that was any good, he helped me process a painful event, but no lasting changes.

 

[21Neberg]

Currently seeking a therapist. Though she says she can't help me alone and I am being referred to a psychiatrists' clinic next month (will prob get meds...) just talking to her about my issues I have started self harming and thinking about suicide less. So the downwards spiral has kind of become a 'plateau', I'm looking to turn it into a road upwards.

 

[Frostypigeon]

Therapy takes work on both ends for it to work. And therapists are kind of like shoes, gotta find one that fits you right.

 

[Void115]

Definitely no.

 

[throwaway123]

No.

 

[Begemont]

Not for me at least. In fact I'm kind of pissed off to be honest. I wasted 3 years and I don't even want to think about how much money on this shit. Money I could've used elsewhere. Feels like I fell for a scam.

 

[Marawa]

Therapy carried me for over 20yrs & I was able to accomplish a lot, married, kids, career & my worse depression therapy combined with pharmaceuticals.
it took a years to find this dr ( who I eventually became involved with to horrible ends).
But now he's no longer available my life was thrown in a hell...but it was a good run. Really take your time finding one.

 

[Shorine]

Sometimes, therapy really just helps you see things in a new light. Mostly Cognitive-Behavioral therapists do this. It kinda helps sometimes and allows you to see a new perspective about your problems. So, it COULD work, but it also depends on the quality of your therapist though. So be careful when picking one out.

 

[DepressionsAHo]

Does it? It's so expensive too.

Honestly, every single person here is talking from their own experience. You cannot listen or let anyone persuade you into not doing it. You are uniquely you, you perceive how this may or may not affect you and only you. Only you live in your head, therefore, only you can make that decision