What is a typical session/sessions like with psychologist? How can they use techniques to make my thinking better. Im just confused because Ive never done it. Any information about how the process works or doesnt is greatly appreciated.
2007-05-04 09:54:31 · 6 answers · asked by fooslasha 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
The psychologists and counselors I have worked with, each have their own manner of how they do things
Think of a 50 min. session as a conversation with someone who is knowledgeable and able to assess your words and body language and emotions all the while carrying on a conversation.
There will be a portion of the time committed to "what's new",
"how did you do with __________ (homework) since last week?" "Did it bring up any concerns for you?" What is on your mind today concerning __________ ? How can I be of help to you with that? When __________ happens how do you _______? If emotions or memories are the focal point of some therapies, you might learn to understand when or how or what to do with that. You may learn how to view some things in a different light. Some memories evoke fears and you learn how to calm those fears, or to confidentially break a long held secret, in order that your fears will lose their power........
Each week you can expect homework.
If safety is part of your issues, then time will be spent on how to assure your safety, regardless of what you are feeling.
In ways I found my counselors to be like tutors, or like coaches, giving me an outside viewpoint on why I might be stuck in areas of my thoughts or behaviors.
Each counseling session will be a conversation tailored to you and your needs, focusing on positive ways to move beyond where you are today.
2007-05-04 11:51:18 · answer #1 · answered by Hope 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The quick answer is that it might and unfortunately there are no guarantees that psychotherapy will work even work some of the time with some people. Since using a professional treating your physical health is more of an art than a science, it is more true with anyone treating your mental health. It can be tough and frustrating on one hand and beneficial and almost life saving on the other. But, it requires that you have the right person for you and that is so hard to find. It also requires that you and the therapist develop a "bond" or almost a friendship for you to be open with what's going on with you and mostly for you to trust the other person to help you and to really be a friend to you. It's not easy to do but you have the right to screen a psychologist or other mental health professional ahead of time to get a general idea of whether they may be compatible with you but then again you may not know until you have a couple of sessions with someone. If that ends up being the case, don't be afraid to switch to someone else as soon as you think it is not working. Some people will go many months before they realize they have ultimately selected someone who is just not compatible with them and not necessarily that the mental health professional is not good at what they do.
Even therapy that works and a therapist that you find you trust may not be enough to help you completely. You want to arm yourself with more than one solution to help you. You can start little by little but talking with other people, reading books on your condition, joining a support group, getting the right medication, exercising, and finding a good diet can all be addressed at the same time and can do wonders for you sooner rather than later.
2007-05-06 03:59:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it can help, but if the mental illness is disruptive to your life, then you should also consider medication. There are lots of new medications with good evidence of response and minimal side effects.
A session is a discussion usually. The therapist will ask questions to help you look at your life a little differently. It takes time. There are no immediate miracles. Sometimes, the therapist will suggest that you try to do things a little differently.
My sense is that medication with psychotherapy is the best approach.
2007-05-04 18:00:05 · answer #3 · answered by Charles 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have for the past 10 years but i did try suicide once, Nobody said life was fair. I have good days bad days and really bad days. I have no real advice but I know exactly what your living with. Though if you can enjoy life and you are functional day to day for the most part then your better off than a lot of people with severe mental disorders Take Care.
2016-05-20 08:09:25 · answer #4 · answered by star 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a few different methods, the one I am familiar with is called "cognitive therapy." It teaches you to think about things in a different way by applying better logic.
One example would be if you were angry because you thought the guy who cut you off in traffic did it on purpose, but if you could realize that logically there could be a million other reasons that have nothing to do with you, you wouldn't feel angry. The same kind of thing could apply to depression.
2007-05-04 10:11:20 · answer #5 · answered by my sign 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bipolar? They will zap you when you're depressed and hopefully will leave you alone when you're in a maniac high state.
2007-05-07 04:03:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋