HAVE YOU... seen a therapist or a clinical psychologist lately?
By rivengodwind
@rivengodwind (369)
Philippines
August 22, 2009 5:42am CST
I'm currently studying clinical psychology and the more I learn about the field, the more I think that psychotherapists should have a stronger presence in people's lives. I say this because going through therapy is not necessarily negative; just a single session could provide insights about yourself and could introduce you to different dimensions that you might otherwise have missed. If you read about the works of Albert Ellis, Carl Rogers, and Abraham Maslow you would understand more of where I got this opinion.
But just so, I'd just like to ask everyone: have you been to therapy at least once in your life? For what reason, and would you recommend it to others?
1 person likes this
1 response
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
22 Aug 09
I am very interested in psychology and psychiatry, and I think it is a very interesting subject that you have chosen to study 
When I was younger I thought about becoming a therapist, but things didn't turn out that way. In 1998 I had my first depression, but I didn't talk to a therapist till 7 years later. In 2005 I was put on antidepressants, and at the same time I talked to a therapist for the first time.
Since then I have talked to 4 different therapists, but the first one was definately the best, and he helped me a lot. I have tried cognitive therapy, body oriented therapy and other kinds of therapy, and I think it is really important to find a therapist that you trust. It is also very important that there is a good relationship between the client and therapist.
When I was younger I thought about becoming a therapist, but things didn't turn out that way. In 1998 I had my first depression, but I didn't talk to a therapist till 7 years later. In 2005 I was put on antidepressants, and at the same time I talked to a therapist for the first time.
Since then I have talked to 4 different therapists, but the first one was definately the best, and he helped me a lot. I have tried cognitive therapy, body oriented therapy and other kinds of therapy, and I think it is really important to find a therapist that you trust. It is also very important that there is a good relationship between the client and therapist. @rivengodwind (369)
• Philippines
23 Aug 09
Hello Porcospino, glad to hear from you! Since you've undergone different types of therapy already, may I know which among them made the most impact for you?
I'm still "shopping" for the modality that I will be practicing and for now I'm interested cognitive-behavior therapy, behavior therapy, and a bit of Rogerian psychotherapy. I still have a lot more study though; as of today there are about 450+ types of psychotherapy out there! Your input would be very much appreciated.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31365)
• Denmark
23 Aug 09
The first therapist I had used a combination of cognitive therapy and other kinds of therapy, and that was very useful for me. My therapist was great. He was very friendly and very calm, and he made me feel at ease. He was also very supportive, he gave the challenges I needed but he never asked too much of me, and he always "met me where I was". He is the best therapist that I have had.
My next therapist used cognitive-behaviour therapy, and it didn't help me that much. It would say that there was a small improvement, but my main problems remained the same. Actually I was a bit disappointed in cognitive-behaviour therapy because I had heard a lot of good things about it, and I know that it has been extremely useful for some people including some of my friends.
After that I had a therapist who focused more on my body. He was very interested in how I felt in my body (nervous/relaxed etc) while we were talking. He was inspired by the books of Peter Levine. I didn't find this kind of therapy very useful, and I feel that I benefit more from therapy where we talk about my problems (instead of focusing on my body all the time).
I am still seeing the 4th therapist, and he doesn't use a specific kind of therapy. We simply talk about the things that I want to/need to talk about.
