Is there anyone out there who thinks psycotherapy has actually solved a problem for them?

Question

After years of trying, and seeing supposedly qualified therapists take totally opposite approaches and reach totally opposite conclusions, I've decided psycotherapists are just guessing at what works and there is no evidence to support anything they do.

Answer 1

My therapist has made some insightful connections about some of my problems, but it was nothing that I hadn't already put together myself, and no, it did not help me or solve any of my problems.

Answer 2

I have to really agree with Jennifer's answer. It is a tool and it's what a person makes of it. So often I've heard people say that psychotherapy is useless because it didn't help them at all but it can actually take a lot of effort and motivation on the clients part.

I don't mean this in any way to sound harsh because I had a couple of therapists who I just wasn't compatible with at all. Then I found one who I began to trust and who was very helpful. On the other hand I had to put my own fair share of work into it.

A client needs to have a certain connection with a therapist and be able to trust them. But they also need to take a pro-active approach by practicing the suggestions a therapist makes to them, listening to the input of their therapist and speaking up if they don't agree with them. Too often mental health clients can be way too passive and think that they don't have any say in what their therapist suggests or how the therapy is going but it doesn't have to be this way.

Of course a good therapist will help draw out a client if they seem too passive or uncertain, will guide them in the direction that seems best for their clients's recovery and won't resort to power plays. I guess what I'm saying is that it takes teamwork because when I found the right one for me and I gave the best effort that I could, it worked for me.

Answer 3

Well, I sort of agree with you. Sometimes it is almost as if therapists are just sitting there, trying to be nosy into people's personal life and than they make generalized statements.

They may have alot of schooling, but it really comes down to how they apply their theories to people. And some therapists just can't relate to people.

I have had a couple therapists. One was quite good but was experienced and had done extra schooling including a post-doctoral experience. She really was interested in people and how they worked. And I thought she offered some interesting perspectives on problems I was having.

The others have just sucked. They lacked insight into me as a person. And I thought they were just doing their job for the $$. They could not relate at all.

Did you know that many poeple in the mental health field go into that field because they are screwed up themselves....?
Scary thought.....

Answer 4

Psychotherapy is not there to SOLVE problems, but to help give you the TOOLS and INSIGHT so that you can begin to solve your own problems more effectively. I have had many therapists- some good, some bad, and some even worse. You have to find the one that you connect with. Most importantly you have to believe that therapy can work and have an open mind to its function, or you won't benefit from it anyway. If you have a negative idea of what it is and expect the therapist to FIX your problems, of course it won't work. And remember that the therapist can only offer insight to the info you give them- if you are not giving them the whole story, or giving them censored information, they can only work with what they have. Good luck to you in your search.

Answer 5

Like any other profession, there are good therapists and bad ones. And there always will be a differing set of opinions. The goal of course is to find one who helps you...not find one who agrees with what you think should be done. Keep trying and don't give up.

Answer 6

I personally think that they want money and they are not going to help you. The only person who can help you is You and if you believe in a religion, well, your believe can help you.