Given all this uncertainty, I have a question -- hopefully one that won´t come off as glib or unduly critical of your profession. Why get therapy? Of course some people want to and have the funds to do so, and in this case I totally get it. But what about the people who don´t want to?
I´m thinking of a specific case: my partner. He´s been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and his sessions regularly cause him anxiety. Just the process of getting on the bus to go to his therapists office is a stress. He says "everybody has problems so why am I the only one who has to go to therapy?" (Good point.) He says "she´s already told me what to do and now I just have to do it but it´s hard." (Good point.) Bottom line, he doesn´t want to go but his psychiatrist says he needs to. Given the expense and uncertainty about whether it would even work, should he be cajoled into going?
I´m kind of asking for free advise here so feel free not to answer if you´d rather not. Just thought I´d share what came up for me after reading your post. Thanks!
"Given the expense and uncertainty about whether it would even work, should he be cajoled into going?" No. I think you're right in thinking of therapy as something people CAN do if they wish, but it shouldn't be a requirement. Plus, it's likely to be most helpful when the client wants to be there. Maybe your partner can just take a break and see what that's like? If the psychiatrist is insisting on therapy as an additional measure to monitor medication, or as a required addendum to medication, then perhaps your partner can go once a month or something.
" the ability to see pleasant stuff—or at least not see ugly stuff" this has its own stimulus band in about three dimensions at least, including "anxious and depressed".
I live in a place where it is impossible to live without a beautiful view of the landscape, despite this, socio-economic lumpy bits grind us into them and thus into desperation despite the uplifting natural views around them view. (you can't eat the view).
I have friends who grew up in grey grinding Eastern European communist nothingness and bloom like a rose in any springtime of beauty, or at least some sign of neatness that shows consideration and care and concern (can be overloaded with apparent worry about appearances in a selfie world of course)...
Given all this uncertainty, I have a question -- hopefully one that won´t come off as glib or unduly critical of your profession. Why get therapy? Of course some people want to and have the funds to do so, and in this case I totally get it. But what about the people who don´t want to?
I´m thinking of a specific case: my partner. He´s been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and his sessions regularly cause him anxiety. Just the process of getting on the bus to go to his therapists office is a stress. He says "everybody has problems so why am I the only one who has to go to therapy?" (Good point.) He says "she´s already told me what to do and now I just have to do it but it´s hard." (Good point.) Bottom line, he doesn´t want to go but his psychiatrist says he needs to. Given the expense and uncertainty about whether it would even work, should he be cajoled into going?
I´m kind of asking for free advise here so feel free not to answer if you´d rather not. Just thought I´d share what came up for me after reading your post. Thanks!
Happy to provide free advice :)
"Given the expense and uncertainty about whether it would even work, should he be cajoled into going?" No. I think you're right in thinking of therapy as something people CAN do if they wish, but it shouldn't be a requirement. Plus, it's likely to be most helpful when the client wants to be there. Maybe your partner can just take a break and see what that's like? If the psychiatrist is insisting on therapy as an additional measure to monitor medication, or as a required addendum to medication, then perhaps your partner can go once a month or something.
Hope this helps.
Thanks! Very helpful. I like the idea of leaving it up to him. Seems to me the more he makes decisions about his own life the better.
Jesus Christ.
" the ability to see pleasant stuff—or at least not see ugly stuff" this has its own stimulus band in about three dimensions at least, including "anxious and depressed".
I live in a place where it is impossible to live without a beautiful view of the landscape, despite this, socio-economic lumpy bits grind us into them and thus into desperation despite the uplifting natural views around them view. (you can't eat the view).
I have friends who grew up in grey grinding Eastern European communist nothingness and bloom like a rose in any springtime of beauty, or at least some sign of neatness that shows consideration and care and concern (can be overloaded with apparent worry about appearances in a selfie world of course)...