Depression Support Group

I've learned not to trust people to easily but after seeing my therapist for almost four or five months, I'm to the point where I tell him everything because he's been doing his job long enough to know when and when not to tell someone else. I think that therapists can't "fix" you...they can only aid in the process of you fixing yourself. They give valuable information but only you can take what they give and "make it yours".

Daisy,
I can only speak as one who does trust her therapist. It wasn't always easy, but I have been seeing this therapist on and off for the better part of 7 years. I have found this woman to be totally supportive, non judgemental, and always willing to listen to anything and everything I want to talk about. In all honesty, without her, I would not be where I am today...I would probably be sitting in a corner somewhere, making the noise when you run your index finger over your lips... you know, bebebebe... I truly believe that she never speaks about me or my issues with anyone, family included. She just would never do that and I know it, and trust her with all my heart. I really hope that some day you will find the ability to trust so that you may also benefit from the wonderful things that therapy can do for you. Hugs xxx

The assumption is that they had one or more good motives for choosing their profession. Basically they chose in order to help people. Many therapists have huge problems of their own. That does not necessarily make them a bad therapist. Psychology says mental illness is a state of mind. That state needs to change. Our minds are very changeable. A therapist has some fairly immense education. Psychology has studied and journalized much information about types of mental illness, signs given by talking, and actions to take to get the patient to change their thinking. Generally, therapy is worthwhile. True, some therapists are in it to make money. That does not make them a bad therapist either,.. everyone works for a paycheck. Certainly for the lack of anyone else, seeing a therapist is a great idea. You have much more to gain than to lose.
A therapist can only work with the information they hear, and see. It is best to be as forthcoming with a therapist as possible.
They may talk about clients with peers, .. but only anonymously. They operate under strict ethics. I think you are cutting yourself short by not engaging your therapist fully.

Just be open and say it how it is to them and they might be able to give you some answers, and help a bit. just be open.

I think a lot of it is similar to finding a person you can connect with in regular life. I had a couple of phsrinks that I never connected with or felt they were really what I needed. BUt when I did find one I could work with, everything was awesome. I healed so much just talkign to him and meditating on what he taught. IT's just about finding the one you connect w/ and trust.

I have seen four dif. therapists long-term.
In sum, experience #1 was for couple's counseling. Mistake one, found in the phone book. We (ex bf and I) went together and separately. When we went separately, she would take what we said and LIE to the other person about what we really said. For instance, she actually told him something like, well, at the last session, she said she doesn't really love you and doesn't want to be with you... I never, ever said anything like taht. She also referred to us as her "patient friends" and wanted me to housesit for her. We were not sleeping together and she said that would be a great opportunity for us to sleep together in HER BED while she was on vacation. When we said we decided we didnt want to see her anymore b/c things weren't working out for us seeing her, she said "you two used me" and she broke down in tears and threw us out of the office.

Experience 2, for single counseling, nice lady, somewhat helpful, but nothing ever advanced, she couldn't prescribe meds, it was a deadend.

Experience 3, another's couple counseling, lady didn't pay attention to anything either of us said and would look off into the distance or talk about herself and her trips around the world.... next...

Last experience, even I knew this dr was bad for me. Would argue with whatever I said... said that even though my BF was abusive, cheated on me, and that I could never trust him again, I should basically grin and bear it and get back w/ him. When I said no, I'm here for help, i don't wanna get back together w/ him, he insisted on making appts w/ my ex to "get you two back together."

So, in the end, i'd love to have a helpful therapist, and I'm sure there are some out there, but I've yet to meet one

there are good and bad therapists.same as psychiatrists ,teachers,accountants excetera.i find that a lotr of times i am my own therapist but when the real head stuff comesa into play my therapist is there in a flash.she knows her job.

vegan....my exact reason for this thread.

I would rather not waste my time.

I don't wanna totally discourage you, just warn. If you have a good doctor that you trust, maybe he/she can refer you. I wish I had a good therapist to talk to, and maybe I'd be willing to try again, but not in the financial position to do so. But I would at least give it a try. I know my cousin really liked her therapist. I believe there has to be some good ones out there