A cool guide note
cross-posted from: https://lemmit.online/post/2827544 [https://lemmit.online/post/2827544] > ##### This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot [https://lemmit.online/post/14692]. > The original was posted on /r/coolguides [https://old.reddit.com/r/coolguides/comments/1cj6f8e/a_cool_guide_note/] by /u/THANKYOU_FI_COMM [https://old.reddit.com/u/THANKYOU_FI_COMM] on 2024-05-03 13:34:01. >
I’ve been to a few therapists now for my depression/anxiety issues. I’m still not sure what a therapist is even supposed to do. I’ve only ever left sessions miserable and it’s hard to see how it could even turn out differently. They can’t fix any biological factors and they can’t do anything about the environment that contributes to these problems. What the hell is going to get better from paying someone to talk to you for <1hr a week so they can tell you that the problems you have with the world aren’t real.
When I explain to people why I don’t want to keep trying therapists, they always just say something like “oh you just haven’t found the right one.” What? What would be the right one? Why are there right and wrong ones? Aren’t they supposed to be professionals?
In my opinion, therapists are like friends. You’re not going to be friends with everyone you meet, in fact, you probably won’t want to be friends with most people you meet. It’s hard finding good friends but once you do, they make everything a little brighter. Just like friends, it takes time to find someone you really click with.
You’re right, they can’t fix your problems or your environment. That’s not what therapy is about. It’s more geared towards helping you recognize your own thoughts, behaviors, and patterns that are not serving you and adjusting them to serve you better. For example, a therapist might help someone to recognize the early warning signs and triggers of a depressive spiral so they can take proactive measures to prevent falling into a dark well of depression. No one can eliminate depressive episodes, but you can learn to recognize it and actively work against it taking over your life.
I hope that helps.
JCSpark
darthelmet