Hi there, I have started seeing a therapist after many years of coping
on my own. She is not my first therapist but after several bad ones (not
cheap either) I just gave up for a while. The thing is, I am an
intelligent woman, capable of reading book...
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Hi there, I have started seeing a therapist after many years of coping
on my own. She is not my first therapist but after several bad ones (not
cheap either) I just gave up for a while. The thing is, I am an
intelligent woman, capable of reading books on cognitive behavior and
following the steps they provide, but its not enough, I'm finding that
although in the short term they inspire me to heal and get on my feet
again, they don't touch the emotional issues that are at the core of my
negative feelings and horrible bouts of depression and anxiety and
paranoia, as a result no matter how many positive affirmations I voice
and meditations and breathing techniques I utilize I keep breaking down,
falling apart, and of late this has been public (in the workplace) and
I'm devastated and ashamed of my inability to control my emotions. I
desperately wanted to find a therapist who doesn't just preach practical
advice and serve me more reading to do, but who can actually help me to
access the underbelly of my issues. The first thing that the new
therapist started on was breathing techniques, followed by the 'take
long walks ' ... 'eat well..' sort of thing. I do, do these things, and
I tell you if it were that easy I wouldn't need a therapist or
anti-depressants for that matter. I told her that I was a very sensitive
and somewhat passive person and found it difficult to deal with people
who are highly stressed, or overbearing in nature. Her response to this
was that I needed to become more assertive. While I agree that this is
sound advise, I can't become more assertive until I learn how to control
my emotions.. so this endless cycle ensues.... I'm not sure whether she
just doesn't get it, or whether I'm not understanding her... What are
other peoples thoughts on their expectations of therapy? is this the way
all therapists are (toughen up strategies) ? are there any other
solutions apart from the very popular ACT, cognitive behavior etc...
and/or have these techniques helped anyone permanently? thanks