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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Kari on July 16, 2002, at 7:01:52
Does anyone here feel that conventional psychotherapy somehow doesn't enable access to what's really going on inside and that something else, more radical is needed in order to discharge overwhelming, trapped and disconnected emotions and to enable change?
Sorry- didn't really know how to phrase this question.
Kari.
Posted by Willow on July 16, 2002, at 8:41:39
In reply to question, posted by Kari on July 16, 2002, at 7:01:52
Hello Kari
I think you worded your question perfectly. Dinah helped me with this issue by saying that I needed to be more open in my sessions which is a real hard thing for me because I'm not even open with myself. (Now that may make no sense.)
Whistling Willow
ps dinah personal growth is a life long journey
Posted by Dinah on July 16, 2002, at 9:09:36
In reply to Re: question (Dinah please reply), posted by Willow on July 16, 2002, at 8:41:39
I was thinking that Alii was just the person to answer this question. My therapy is pretty standard, and more supportive than exploratory.
How is the commitment to openness going? Any progress?
And while I know personal growth is a lifelong process, I feel about 5 most of the time. When is some of that personal growth going to start?
Posted by terra miller on July 16, 2002, at 23:28:50
In reply to question, posted by Kari on July 16, 2002, at 7:01:52
hi. some people say that EMDR is really helpful when you get to the point that you just can't face your emotions because they are too strong or traumatic for you. i haven't done it myself, but i've heard some people say that it helped them get stuff out. sometimes the best thing for me is to holler, "CHARGE!" and plow right through whatever i am scared to look at or feel. i'd rather run through it then take my time... and i've done it enough that i've got a therapist who knows how to pick me up off the floor when i'm exhausted. fwiw.
terra
Posted by Dinah on July 16, 2002, at 23:35:22
In reply to question, posted by Kari on July 16, 2002, at 7:01:52
I'll give answering my best try Kari. As I posted, my therapy is more supportive than exploratory, although I have recently had discussions with my therapist that I think it might be time to move forward.
There are all sorts of therapy that attempt to get deeper, faster. Have you tried EMDR or bodywork?
And even in conventional therapy, I have found my own therapy moving to a deeper level as I have made myself more vulnerable. There are so many stumbling blocks. Not being open and totally honest, fighting the feelings of dependence, accepting the relationship as it is, and the therapist as he is rather than what he should be. I know my therapy is much more meaningful now that I have dropped my defenses.
I'm not sure if any of this strikes a chord, or is what you are looking for. What sort of therapy are you interested in exploring?
Posted by mair on July 17, 2002, at 11:59:34
In reply to question, posted by Kari on July 16, 2002, at 7:01:52
Kari
I'm with Willow - I think your question is worded perfectly. I always wish I could push things a little further faster, but I have such a hard time talking about almost any emotions-fraught issue. When one arises, I freeze up rather than open up. I think it's a real impediment to effective therapy. I hope others answer whe have gotten over this hump.
Mair
Posted by judy1 on July 17, 2002, at 12:07:44
In reply to Re: question » Kari, posted by mair on July 17, 2002, at 11:59:34
I think it's all wrapped up in trust (of your therapist or shrink). Once you've gotten to the point of complete trust then you should be able to open up and know they are there to catch you. (At least this is what they're telling me, I'm still at that first stage) Take care, judy
Posted by Kari on July 18, 2002, at 14:23:27
In reply to question, posted by Kari on July 16, 2002, at 7:01:52
You have all given me food for thought.
I have recently realized how difficult, if not impossible, it is to trust someone enough to discuss personal problems and issues. I am always on guard and saying only what I feel would be expected of me to say, since the thought of anyone seeing "my true colors" is unbearable.
So lately I have been considering doing something known as "self-primaling", or intense feelings psychotherapy- alone. Not a good way to gain insight or seek long-lasting improvement, but anything else seems too threatening...
Posted by Dinah on July 18, 2002, at 15:37:19
In reply to Thanks everyone..., posted by Kari on July 18, 2002, at 14:23:27
It takes a while Kari (It took me five years), but if you pick a good therapist, trust eventually grows. And therapy is a wonderful place to work out relationship issues, so that you can have a better quality of life. If you have trouble trusting people, or being intimate with them, then therapy is just the place to work on that.
I'm at that stage now in therapy, although I must confess that the main reason for my therapy is to keep me held together through my mood and anxiety disorders. I can't imagine what I would do without my therapist. But for years and years, I fought trust and dependence every step of the way.
Good luck with finding the strength within yourself to do whatever you decide to do.
Posted by judy1 on July 25, 2002, at 2:00:33
In reply to Thanks everyone..., posted by Kari on July 18, 2002, at 14:23:27
I couldn't agree more with Dinah- don't give yourself a time table to trust a therapist, it can take years- but it is so worth it. And you really do need a professional to help you along the way to growth. Best of luck, judy
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