Psychotherapy?

[Puppet Strings]

Hey guys,

I'm sorry if this is in the wrong place, and if it is then feel free to report/move it.

I just really wanted to ask a bit about psychotherapy, if anyone is receiving it, what their experiences are, a bit about it, etc. I've done a bit of googling, like you do, but feel absolutely no more clued up on it.

Why do I ask? Well there's been a bit of a situation with my therapist having to reduce the number of times she sees me, and it went from once a week to once a fortnight. It hasn't really been working, it being fortnightly, so she's been looking into other options and something a bit more frequent, substantial and useful for me. She came up with psychotherapy. No decisions have been made yet, I'm not even sure if it's possible, but I need to get my head around it & decide if I want to explore that route more or not. It would be 3 times a week, which is muuuuch more than I have ever had. What are people's experiences with such frequent sessions?

The thought of it is just going around and around in my head, and it's such an alien thing for me. It's completely different to anything I've done before, and I don't really know much about psychotherapy whatsoever. It's good to just get it out I guess, and ask these things, and perhaps this can help me get my head around it more and make a step towards a decision.

Thanks guys, and sorry for the ramble-y nature of the thread!
xx

[Amadeus]

Well, psychotherapy is really just a general term for various kinds of therapeutic approaches. Take a look at this wikipedia link for instance http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_psychotherapies

Did she say exactly what type of psychotherapy she wanted you to start? I mean, right now I'm probably in "psychotherapy", but it's just me talking to my therapist. I think overall, as a general term, it doesn't really mean anything beyond "therapy".

Hope this helps.

Well, you know I've been through a lot of therapies and therapists, I have to say psychotherapy has been amazing for me. I must have started about a month ago, and I'm paying for it privately with my benefits because the nhs kept saying I wasn't stable enough or making other stupid excuses, and it's so useful I'm now see my therapist twice a week whilst things are particularly difficult.

With what I'm experiencing it's not just talking things over and thinking about how I feel. It's much more an exploration of trying to understand my mind. One of the best things I think is that I feel like I'm an equal, I don't know if that's just my therapist, but even with therapists I've liked in CBT, ERP etc I've found like they're talking down to me, whilst with my psychotherapy it's like we're equals. Also I've found it much less traumatising and hurtful compared to other therapies I've had bad experiences with. It's ok to stop when you need to and you don't get coerced into anything.

Dunno if that helps at all, but hey, take care hun,

Roby xx

[butterfly hearts]

What sort of psychotheropy was she suggesting?

i have done some strange ones.....which seemed so strange to me at the time, but in hindsight, the mide is a very strange place.... and things that you never thought made sense can sometimes turn out to be quite usefull.

Because of my experience of things i never thought would work working, im of the opinion that you have nothing to loose but your own patience, and that is something you can controle....you've just gotta keep trying new things, and enter each stage with an open mind.

Kat xoxo

[Stellata]

I'm in analytic psychotherapy 3 times a week...

I'm not really awake yet, but will say some more later..

[Puppet Strings]

I have no idea what type of psychotherapy it would be, at least not yet, but experiences and stuff are still nice to hear, etc. Thanks. :)

Yeah, part of me is of the mindset that it's good to try whatever you can, but it is a big big change for me, and I'm still not too sure what to expect, and all that. x

[alienshe_cheesycake]

I've never had any type of therapy.
I did some stuff with a counciller and I was supposed to be starting CBT
but I was told that my problems were too severe to do CBT with anyone
(bummer!) so I would have to see a pychologist

I've just started (my first session yesterday!) so I can't really give you any info on how it's going for me, but I *think* I'm doing pychotherapy.

I think it's just a general term for a mixture of therapies, I think they just pick out the tecniques that work best for you really, I think.

I only get 5 and a half months worth of sessions once a week with the NHS, I'm terrified that isn't going to be enough.

Personally I think I'll only be happy when I'm seeing sombody 3 times a week for 10 years or somthing...but thats like, never, going to happen
SO I'm just gonna be enthusiastic about this and try to make the most of it.

[Queer Fringe]

I did analytic psychotherapy! one session...grrr. the therapist got scared of me...
and apparently i wasnt ready to do such intense 1-2-1 work...all I said was that I felt suicidal! sorry...rant *cough* xx

[Stellata]

Rach, if it's 3 times a week, it's most likely psychodynamic/analytic based psychotherapy.
Which is, as I said, what I'm in.
Basically, it's about understanding the internal thought processes/dynamics in your mind and how you relate with people and yourself now, based on your past experience of yourself in relationships. I'd say, simply, it's about learning to relate with yourself better.

It's a good kind of therapy for people who're reflective and creative. It helps if you already have a good degree of insight into what's going on in your mind and feelings.

It's hard work, but worth it. It's not a 'quick fix' but nor should any therapy be, because the aim is to build solid and secure foundations in your self perception, untangling the places where it's shaky and making things more real and true to you. It's thorough, and deep work.

[slacker]

'official' psychotherapy is deep stuff and you need to be prepared for the journey. best thing is to ask as many questions as possible and to realise that no question is inappropriate (as this is your internal stuff so its all valid)

the therapy is going to be as good as the practitioner, and his/her training and experience. its absolutely brilliant to read that Roby is getting some good support - that really rocks and has made my week so thank you Roby :)

psychotherapy can be like a gym, where you can try out new exercises with your personal trainer. flexing thinking and feeling muscles and you daren't try elsewhere. remember that its the one place that you can say things that you just couldn't cope with saying elsewhere. its ALL valid and all worthwhile to say. it takes great courage and your therapist should always but ALWAYS have a deep respect for the bravery you have in sharing your deep truths and fears.

i'm saying this as an experienced therapist as well as a patient/client. if you feel something is wrong then tell them and keep challenging. its down to them to earn your trust and their responsibility for holding the boundaries.

i wish you every healing and a beautiful journey

[_plastic]

I see a psychotherapist once every 3 weeks now...

*reads replies*

[butterfly hearts]

Quote:

Originally Posted by slacker

'official' psychotherapy is deep stuff and you need to be prepared for the journey.

more than true....prepair to feel awful, and cry lots.... but get better in the long run!

K xoxo

[Popple]

I am glad you posted this because I was going to cause my nurse mentioned it a few weeks ago and said she is definately going to look into it after the last week.. so it's really intresting to hear everyones opinions of it =]

[Breadsticks]

I'm starting CBT soon. I think that's a kind of psychotherapy...

I'm not sure, but it sounds like it can only help .