Depression Support Group

Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.

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Ditching Therapist...

mal66
mal66
Yeah, kicking him to the curb! I've been going to him weekly since January! I've not improved, in fact I've regressed...my dark moments have become darker. He gave me his 'emergency' number but it's a 'beeper'; (didn't know folks still had those!). He's good at clarifing my thoughts but made no suggestions to seek support groups (online or local); I had to arrive at those suggestions either on my own or thru others. I found this site thru 'Google'...I feel I've wasted my money...What's it like to have a 'good' Therapist? Anyone?
tattyhead184
tattyhead184
Credit to you for arriving at those suggestions. It must have taken some effort.
deleted_user
deleted_user
mal66, to be honest, it sounds like he wasn't a "bad" therapist but the wrong type of therapist for you. I know they're supposed to give you their credentials before they begin therapy, but oftentimes the name of the school of thought they practice means nothing to most of the people reading it. From the very brief description you've given me here, it sounds like he might be practicing motivational interviewing or humanist discipline, in which they supply no information that you don't provide yourself; they simply reflect what they hear and see and believe that all your answers should come from within.

Anyway, I'm not trying to validate it but only to explain it. That said, that technique totally works for some people. For me? And possibly for someone like you from the sounds of it? No good. When we're in free-fall, we want SOME kind of answers or suggestions, anything! So, I suggest trying to find a therapist who practices CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. They make plenty of suggestions - the cognitive aspect involves challenging your beliefs and changing the way you feel, and the behavioral aspect involves homework, such as journaling, charts, practicing coping/social/challenging skills among others, and even joining support groups.

Plus, if you're already utilizing google, it should be easier to find their credentials as well :) Then again, not everyone who practices one school of discipline will be a good fit either. It's like anti-depressants, really: sometimes you have to try a few, having given each one a fair trial, before you find one that's a good fit. I got incredibly lucky and found a good match on my first try, someone who shared many of my values and had great insight that I did not into my own demons. She saved my life. That's what it's like to have a "good" therapist :)

Best of luck, mal66. I'm honestly just glad to see someone actively looking for therapy :P Though I am sorry this one has been seemingly useless for you. Better luck next time? *HUGS*

Elle