Posted by JonW on October 29, 2002, at 21:56:51
In reply to Re: OVERWHELMED!! » JonW, posted by Peter on October 29, 2002, at 18:26:51
> > I was going to a therapist for a few years until 2000, when I began to feel that the work we were doing was too intrusive-I mean, we all need SOME of our ego-defense mechanisms still intact! Everything was so deep and vague, trying to prod into all the layers of my sunconscience and blame all my problems on my upbringing. If I opt for another go at therapy, it would definitely be of the non-psychodynamic sort; something more constructive and practical-is this what CBT is like? I know the basic principles behind CBT, but I never really understood it; what does a typical session entail?
I would presume Dr. Hurowitz is a great doctor, and I think you have a good idea to start going to the therapist. Therapy with a CBT therapist is nothing like the previous experiences with therapy you've described. A session is basically spent going through the situations during the previous week that provoked anxiety or depression or whatever. You may do CBT with the therapist which is identifying the negative thoughts and distortions, doing the disputation for those thoughts, and formulating positive rational responses. I read "Feeling Good" and thought I was more than qualified to do CBT on my own. But doing it with a therapist and doing it alone is like night and day. It turned out I wasn't doing the disputation and all of my rational responses were negative statements. Adding the disputation and learning how to formulate better rational responses has made a huge difference. You set goals each week, and set out to achieve them. You need someone to push you but not push too hard. You can bitch about things and challenge the therapist. I've yet to stump mine... It focuses less (if at all) on explaining what may have caused your irrational thoughts, and more on correcting those things and working toward achieving what you have been unable to in the past. You should be sure your pdoc thinks you're ready for CBT. The other advantage of working with a therapist who works with your pdoc is that she always asks how my medication is going and what reactions I'm having to this and that. She observes me over time and gives feedback to my pdoc to help him with the meds, etc. Hope things work out for you!
Jon
poster:JonW
thread:125636
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021025/msgs/125737.html