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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sleepygirl on December 6, 2005, at 21:34:26
I'd like some perspectives on this one....
I'm going to brainstorm a little list :-)
What's most important?you obtain and maintain a job
you have close and satisfying relationships
you can communicate openly
you are in touch with past hurts, traumas, and have some sort of perspective on them (whatever that means)
you are completely independent
you don't have a lot of anxiety
you have interests you pursue and find satisfaction in
you don't care if you see your T or not
you are accepting of yourself and imperfections
you can acknowledge and deal with your anger effectively
you don't abuse drugs/alcohol (too much)
you're not on any psychotropic medication
you're not terribly emotional about anything
nothing really bothers you
you don't care too much about what people think about you
Posted by daisym on December 6, 2005, at 23:12:16
In reply to what consitutes progress in therapy?, posted by sleepygirl on December 6, 2005, at 21:34:26
"you are completely independent"
My therapist would argue that for me, making progress is to be interdependent, not so isolated in my emotional life. It is about trusting someone to care for you and not hurt you, to lean when you need to and to allow others to lean also.
I would add to the list:
To trust your perceptions
To allow yourself what you need without (or less) guilt
To not be depressed or suicidal
To develop healthy coping mechanisms instead of using work as a salveI'm working on this. Man is it slow work.
Posted by one woman cine on December 7, 2005, at 6:46:37
In reply to what consitutes progress in therapy?, posted by sleepygirl on December 6, 2005, at 21:34:26
Cool topic.
I would have to say - maybe one is completely "inter-dependent". Independence is necessary but so is being able to be a part of the human community as a whole. Meaning, mutuality and reciprocity.
& I think the idea that "nothing really bothers you or you aren't too emotional" makes me wonder. I think my goal in therapy is the balance of emotion versus intellect and also to care deeply but being able to detach. I don't know if you would agree or not.
Posted by fairywings on December 7, 2005, at 9:44:58
In reply to Re: what consitutes progress in therapy? » sleepygirl, posted by one woman cine on December 7, 2005, at 6:46:37
I guess it might depend on your goals and the theoretical bent of your T. I'm not sure I'm far along enough to have made any progress other than I'm starting to see some things differently, and starting to have some insight from the things he asks me or talks about.
Of course, I have no idea what I'm doing, where I'm headed, or how to do this therapy thing, so I can't say much. All the other posts sound much more brilliant than anything I'm doing.
fw
Posted by one woman cine on December 7, 2005, at 10:02:44
In reply to Re: what consitutes progress in therapy? » one woman cine, posted by fairywings on December 7, 2005, at 9:44:58
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step... corny but true. Be gentle with yourself, therapy is a long, hard process; but well worth the effort. Don't worry about brilliant, be yourself.
Posted by fairywings on December 7, 2005, at 10:09:21
In reply to Re: what consitutes progress in therapy? » fairywings, posted by one woman cine on December 7, 2005, at 10:02:44
Posted by Dinah on December 7, 2005, at 12:35:11
In reply to what consitutes progress in therapy?, posted by sleepygirl on December 6, 2005, at 21:34:26
I think a lot of those things would be things my therapist was working against. :)
I guess I'd say that I was really impressed that ClearSkies and gg said that they were realizing that they'd have their ups and downs, but that the moods would pass. I'd say that was a big one. Being able to tolerate moods and put them in perspective.
I'd have to say, as another, that if you understand what reactions you traditionally have to various stimuli, and why you react that way, and are able because of that to make choices to do things differently if you wish, that that would constitute progress.
Perhaps being able to generalize the relationship skills to other outside relationships...
I'm guessing it depends a lot on why a person enters therapy. Some people might enter because their emotions are out of control, and others might enter because their emotions are out of touch. Progress would look completely different.
Posted by sleepygirl on December 7, 2005, at 19:02:06
In reply to Re: what consitutes progress in therapy? » sleepygirl, posted by Dinah on December 7, 2005, at 12:35:11
perspectives. Sometimes I find it hard to conceptualize it, and then one of you guys goes ahead and describes it so wonderfully for me.
I guess it does depend a lot on the perspective of the therapist, and a lot on the situation. I've changed a lot, but not much in certain ways. I'm not sure what the "right" way is.
I've come across T's who want to dismiss emotions as hinderances or just not factual, and I don't think this ever would've worked for me. That's just a piece of it...
Posted by sleepygirl on December 7, 2005, at 19:10:18
In reply to Re: what consitutes progress in therapy? » one woman cine, posted by fairywings on December 7, 2005, at 9:44:58
Your perspective is always of great value. I am always trying to figure things out. I love to hear your responses.
-funny you made me think of something "the process is progress" ha, ha I needed that!
Posted by one woman cine on December 8, 2005, at 14:20:22
In reply to Re: what consitutes progress in therapy? » fairywings, posted by sleepygirl on December 7, 2005, at 19:10:18
Yeah, it's mostly about process for me. (You should see me as I do re-writes on my own scripts - it takes FOREVER!!!)
& therapy (life in general, for that matter) is a process. Birth to death, everything has a beginning and an ending - & I try to be especially cognizant of this when I am going through negative emotions - or even positive ones. They will all come and then go. & then come and go again. I guess, as I get older - I try to really, really enjoy the good stuff. Then the bad stuff, I try to squeeze a lesson out of (& unforunately, I learn most everything the hard way!).
Posted by fairywings on December 9, 2005, at 8:36:39
In reply to Re: what consitutes progress in therapy? » fairywings, posted by sleepygirl on December 7, 2005, at 19:10:18
U R alawys so sweet sleepy! ; )
fw
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