![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 26. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by HannahW on September 13, 2003, at 22:43:14
Dinah--After reading The Source made you a firm agnostic, how did you move beyond that to a faith you're comfortable with? How long did it take, and what prompted the change?
I catch myself praying a lot before I remember, "Oh, yeah, I don't believe that anymore." I miss believing, and I want to believe. I just don't want to believe because I NEED to think there is Someone in control, I want to believe in something I'm convinced is TRUE. I'm interested in hearing the process you went through.
Has anyone ever talked about faith (or the lack thereof) with your therapists? I'm considering it, but I can't imagine that she will be of much help. I'm pretty sure she's not a Christian--at least not a practicing one. So I'm not sure how well she would be able to help me sort it out. Does anyone have any experience with this?
Posted by judy1 on September 14, 2003, at 11:38:23
In reply to Dinah Others--Religion in Therapy, posted by HannahW on September 13, 2003, at 22:43:14
Faith is an issue I've spoken to all my therapists about, they all felt it was an integral part of my recovery. Not any specific religion, just the knowledge of a higher power- I truly believe that's a common thread in all of humanity. The times when I angrily felt I didn't believe were the times I felt most alone, I guess I'm in the category of needing to believe. I'm sure your therapist has been trained in dealing with faith issues, I really wouldn't hesitate to speak to her about your thoughts.
best of luck, judy
Posted by Poet on September 14, 2003, at 12:40:02
In reply to Re: Dinah Others--Religion in Therapy » HannahW, posted by judy1 on September 14, 2003, at 11:38:23
I'm with Judy- your therapist should be comfortable talking about religion, higher power and universal consciousness no matter what her personal beliefs are.
My therapist was raised Jewish and is now new age. I've talked to her about believing in a high power (my family is non-religious so as a child I wasn't any religion)and we were both okay with it.
I believe I have a guardian angel and if anything when I talk to him I am not keeping my feelings trapped inside.Talk to your therapist, I'll bet she will be okay with discussing beliefs.
Poet
Posted by Dinah on September 14, 2003, at 13:23:57
In reply to Dinah Others--Religion in Therapy, posted by HannahW on September 13, 2003, at 22:43:14
>
> Has anyone ever talked about faith (or the lack thereof) with your therapists? I'm considering it, but I can't imagine that she will be of much help. I'm pretty sure she's not a Christian--at least not a practicing one. So I'm not sure how well she would be able to help me sort it out. Does anyone have any experience with this?My therapist has slightly, but not drastically, different theological beliefs than I do. But even so, if he usually only brings up sprituality in a broad nonreligious sense, and only after asking my permission. He's perfectly ok with my bringing it up and discusses it freely.
Ideally it would be just fine to discuss your spiritual quest with your therapist. Like most things that are discussed in therapy, they shouldn't have had to experience it themselves to discuss it. My therapist, being male, has obviously never been pregnant, but I was able to discuss all the feelings that that brought up with no problem.
However, I've done a lot of reading and I've read that some therapists who aren't spiritual themselves do have a hard time discussing it. So maybe the only way to find out is to bring it up and see what happens. And if there is a problem, to discuss it.
Certainly if it is something that is important to you, you should be able to discuss it freely.
The first part of your post I'll answer on faith, since there is no real way to answer without openly discussing my faith beliefs.
Posted by Dinah on September 14, 2003, at 14:05:39
In reply to Dinah Others--Religion in Therapy, posted by HannahW on September 13, 2003, at 22:43:14
Hannah, I'm going to take a bit of time to organize my thoughts before I respond to you. It's a good question, and I'll have to do a bit of memory travel to answer. :)
Posted by allisonf on September 14, 2003, at 16:02:24
In reply to Dinah Others--Religion in Therapy, posted by HannahW on September 13, 2003, at 22:43:14
I agree with what everyone has said about trying your therapist with it. I think even if they don't believe or have experience with religion, they should be able to work with other people on their religious issues. My therapist is Jewish and I am Catholic, well...a frustrated Catholic. It's surprising how much crossover there is in the issues that people might have with both of those faiths...and with other faiths as well, I'm sure.
I'm sorry I might have missed some of an earlier conversation about this. What have you been going thru re: religion? It sounds like you have decided not to believe tho you once did. What was the process you went thru?
Posted by HannahW on September 15, 2003, at 0:23:41
In reply to Re: Dinah Others--Religion in Therapy » HannahW, posted by allisonf on September 14, 2003, at 16:02:24
I had posted a message on the Religion board that talked about me suddenly finding myself struggling to continue to believe everything I was ever taught. Apparently, the Religion board is only for *nice* postings about religion, and not a place to ask questions, no matter how sincere, because Dr. Bob redirected me to the Social board. I don't know anyone on that board, and felt a little stung by his admonishment (pretty stupid of me, I know), so I didn't re-post over there. (I really hate getting in trouble, and felt unjustly scolded. I thought it made perfect sense to talk about religion on a religion board.)
Anyway, Dinah had responded to me on the Religion board before Dr. Bob did and said she had read the same book I did that sent us both into an agnostic spin for a while. I wanted to follow up on that with her.
I'd love to continue this conversation with you or anyone if I thought anyone would see my post on the Social board. I'd really like to work through this issue, because I miss believing that there's Someone all-powerful out there that cares about me. I can attempt to talk about it with my therapist, but there's so much other stuff to talk about! :) Maybe I'll get to it with her before too long.
> I agree with what everyone has said about trying your therapist with it. I think even if they don't believe or have experience with religion, they should be able to work with other people on their religious issues. My therapist is Jewish and I am Catholic, well...a frustrated Catholic. It's surprising how much crossover there is in the issues that people might have with both of those faiths...and with other faiths as well, I'm sure.
>
> I'm sorry I might have missed some of an earlier conversation about this. What have you been going thru re: religion? It sounds like you have decided not to believe tho you once did. What was the process you went thru?
>
>
Posted by allisonf on September 15, 2003, at 5:17:42
In reply to Allison--Religion in Therapy, posted by HannahW on September 15, 2003, at 0:23:41
Sorry you have gotten bounced around on the bd re: this issue. It seems like any of these places (well, esp the religion bd) would be a good spot to talk about it. I have to think religion comes up over and over again in therapy so hopefully this will be an appropriate place to discuss it.
I thought you wrote that the book was called "The Source"? I haven't read it. How did it influence you (and Dinah) into becoming agnostic? Were you very religious before that? I find that coping with my mental illness has tested my faith...I wish it wasn't that way, that it would only strengthen my faith. There are times I try to pray when I'm depressed, but feel like I'm not strong enough then to see God. Does that make sense? This is all by way of saying that I too, miss believing in Something all-powerful, Something that will protect me and help me make my life better.
So, pls tell me more about your religious bkgd & what you're feeling about it now...
Posted by HannahW on September 15, 2003, at 12:46:00
In reply to Re: Allison--Religion in Therapy » HannahW, posted by allisonf on September 15, 2003, at 5:17:42
My family wasn't religious, but I always had a strong sense of God's presence as a kid. I formally became a Christian when I was a sophomore in high school and was a burning fireball of spiritual passion. I stayed that way for a couple of years, but then I fell in love with my husband and began pursuing him more than I pursued God. Our sexual involvement really got in the way of my spiritual life. (We tried really hard to stay virgins until we were married, but also defined what constituted actual sex VERY loosely.) Over the years, my relationship with God gradually diminished, but I always held strong to my faith in his goodness, and I always desired to get close to him again. (It was hard, though, because I just can't seem to get myself out of bed and to church on Sunday mornings!)
Several months ago, I was taking two religion classes (one Eastern and one Western) at the same time because I needed religion credits for my degree. I also happened to be reading The Source by James Michener at the time, purely by coincidence. The Source is a historical novel about an archaeological dig in Israel and traces the history of religion back to the beginning of civilization. Paganism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam are all born during the course of the book. I also happened to be reading The DaVinci code simultaneously. When I started reading it, I didn't know that it was also about religion.
So there I was, immersed in discussions of religion in school, and also absorbing two authors' interpretations of religion. I started the classes and books absolutely sure about what I believed, and ended them having no idea what I believe. Thanks to the power-hungriness of man, the lack of a written Bible for hundreds and hundreds of years after the events, and religious reform after reform, I can't believe that any religion has it "right." So then, what to believe?
Hannah
> Sorry you have gotten bounced around on the bd re: this issue. It seems like any of these places (well, esp the religion bd) would be a good spot to talk about it. I have to think religion comes up over and over again in therapy so hopefully this will be an appropriate place to discuss it.
>
> I thought you wrote that the book was called "The Source"? I haven't read it. How did it influence you (and Dinah) into becoming agnostic? Were you very religious before that? I find that coping with my mental illness has tested my faith...I wish it wasn't that way, that it would only strengthen my faith. There are times I try to pray when I'm depressed, but feel like I'm not strong enough then to see God. Does that make sense? This is all by way of saying that I too, miss believing in Something all-powerful, Something that will protect me and help me make my life better.
>
> So, pls tell me more about your religious bkgd & what you're feeling about it now...
Posted by Dinah on September 15, 2003, at 16:33:24
In reply to Dinah Others--Religion in Therapy, posted by HannahW on September 13, 2003, at 22:43:14
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 15, 2003, at 21:13:54
In reply to Re: Hannah, I answered you on the Faith Board (nm), posted by Dinah on September 15, 2003, at 16:33:24
> Hannah, I answered you on the Faith Board
Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20030908/msgs/260356.html
Bob
Posted by allisonf on September 15, 2003, at 21:26:50
In reply to Re: Allison--Religion in Therapy » allisonf, posted by HannahW on September 15, 2003, at 12:46:00
I just finished The Da Vinci Code! I certainly see how that book alone could call into question previously held beliefs. It's hard to know what was and wasn't fiction, and I assumed from the paragraph at the beginning that most of what wasn't the actual story was factual. So, then on top of it you had all these other influences...no wonder you are feeling confused! Did you find after being exposed to all these different points of view that you felt drawn to any one of them?
I have a similar background becoming Catholic while in high school. I always think the fact that I wasn't raised in a religious household contributes to my lack of direction now (I also have difficulty with those Sunday mornings!). What do you think the effects of that were, if any?
I have most recently been investigating the Quakers. They believe that everyone has the Light of God within them and we find God by looking for that Light. Do you know about their Meetings? I love that they are completely unstructured--just individual people being moved to speak about God. Unfortunately, my husband is too much a Catholic to leave the church, so it looks like I am stuck there for now. I agree with you tho when you say that no religion has it "right". But I do think the crux of many organized religions is the same (maybe I am oversimplifying?). I think if it's important to you to follow an organized religion, the only thing you can do is pick one and take the lumps that go with it. I don't know. What do you think?
Posted by HannahW on September 16, 2003, at 10:47:24
In reply to Re: link to answer on the Faith Board, posted by Dr. Bob on September 15, 2003, at 21:13:54
Thanks for the link, Dr. Bob. However, I'm confused. You told me you didn't want me to talk about this on the Faith board, and now you're helping me to do exactly that.
> > Hannah, I answered you on the Faith Board
>
> Here's a link:
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20030908/msgs/260356.html
>
> Bob
Posted by HannahW on September 16, 2003, at 11:18:14
In reply to Re: Allison--Religion in Therapy » HannahW, posted by allisonf on September 15, 2003, at 21:26:50
> I just finished The Da Vinci Code! I certainly see how that book alone could call into question previously held beliefs. It's hard to know what was and wasn't fiction, and I assumed from the paragraph at the beginning that most of what wasn't the actual story was factual. So, then on top of it you had all these other influences...no wonder you are feeling confused! Did you find after being exposed to all these different points of view that you felt drawn to any one of them?
I loved the Da Vinci Code! Really, really fascinating. I don't buy into it, but just the notion of "the sacred feminine" makes my heart happy! I can't say I was drawn to any of the religions. It just doesn't seem right to "choose" a religion based on what feels good to us, if there is indeed one Truth. On the other hand, if "all paths lead to God" as so many people say, then choosing a religion seems like an excellent solution. I've always rejected that concept, but maybe it's not so "way out there" as I thought.
>
> I have a similar background becoming Catholic while in high school. I always think the fact that I wasn't raised in a religious household contributes to my lack of direction now (I also have difficulty with those Sunday mornings!). What do you think the effects of that were, if any?Do you mean, what do I think the effects were of being raised in a non-religious household? I don't attribute my lack of direction to that. I always felt a strong connection with God, even before I became a Christian. An example that always comes to mind when I think about His influence in my life before then is that I used to party alot in middle school. My girlfriend and I spent the summer between 8th and 9th grades drinking a lot of beer with her 12th grade boyfriend and his friends. Even before becoming a Christian, retaining my virginity for my husband was *very* important to me. At one of these parties, I had waaaaay to much to drink, and apparently (I don't even remember any of this, that's how drunk I was) I was about to have sex with one of the guys at the party. As he was putting on the condom, I leaned over the bed and started to puke my guts out. I continued to vomit for the rest of the night! I'm so grateful to God that I didn't lose my virginity at 12 to a guy I barely knew.
Of course, if I attribute being saved from losing my virginity to God, then I have to acknowledge that God exists, He cares, and that He's involved in my life. Those are the very issues I'm struggling with, so I think I may find my answers about Him by looking at how I believe He answered prayer in the past.
On the other hand, it's the non-answering of prayer, in addition to all of these outside religious influences, that has really gotten me questioning everything. I've kept a prayer journal (where I write letters to God) off and on for my entire spiritual life. I was looking back through them a few months ago and realized that I have been praying and begging for help with the same issues this whole time. (The same issues I'm in therapy for, and have been in therapy for in the past.) If God cares about me, why wouldn't he have helped me with this sometime during the last 20 years? That's the big question.
>
> I have most recently been investigating the Quakers. They believe that everyone has the Light of God within them and we find God by looking for that Light. Do you know about their Meetings? I love that they are completely unstructured--just individual people being moved to speak about God. Unfortunately, my husband is too much a Catholic to leave the church, so it looks like I am stuck there for now. I agree with you tho when you say that no religion has it "right". But I do think the crux of many organized religions is the same (maybe I am oversimplifying?). I think if it's important to you to follow an organized religion, the only thing you can do is pick one and take the lumps that go with it. I don't know. What do you think?It sounds like you're considering abandoning Catholicism. Is that right? Would it be hard to give up the beliefs about Mary and the Saints intervening with God on your behalf? There are parts of Catholicism that really appeal to me, like some of the rituals. I don't generally like a lot of structure, but there is something about the cross that you make on your body after prayer that appeals to me. And I also like the kneeling at the pew before you sit down.
Tell me more about yourself. I think I read somewhere that you have two young kids. How old are they? How old are you? Do you work? You clearly have some computer skills if you were able to do some internet sleuthing on your therapist! :) I even know where my therapist's husband works and what grades her stepson got in high school!
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 16, 2003, at 19:08:37
In reply to Re: Allison--Religion in Therapy » HannahW, posted by allisonf on September 15, 2003, at 21:26:50
> I just finished The Da Vinci Code!
I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
The first time anyone refers to a book without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 16, 2003, at 19:23:03
In reply to Re: link to answer on the Faith Board » Dr. Bob, posted by HannahW on September 16, 2003, at 10:47:24
> Thanks for the link, Dr. Bob. However, I'm confused. You told me you didn't want me to talk about this on the Faith board, and now you're helping me to do exactly that.
Dinah thought maybe you were struggling to find your faith again, if that's the case, you're welcome to post there about that. Posts that aren't supportive of religious faith should not, however, be posted there. Also, posts that don't have to do with therapy should not be posted here. Sorry it's so complicated. Thanks,
Bob
Posted by allisonf on September 17, 2003, at 11:35:38
In reply to Re: double double quotes » allisonf, posted by Dr. Bob on September 16, 2003, at 19:08:37
Hi Dr. Bob,
Thanks for the link. I truly did not know how to do that. I had actually wondered if there was an easy way to link to Amazon when we would talk about "In Session". Let's see if that just worked...and next time I'll take advantage of this feature for sure.
Allison
Posted by allisonf on September 17, 2003, at 12:06:36
In reply to Re: Allison--Religion in Therapy, posted by HannahW on September 16, 2003, at 11:18:14
Wow, at first I kind of giggled at the story you told about not losing your virginity when you were 12 (it's just funny to think about this guy getting all hot and bothered and then you having to lean over and puke on the floor right as he was ready to go for it!) BUT that said, I realize the seriousness of the situation as well and how lucky you were that you didn't get roped into something you didn't want or weren't ready for. Things like that happen and I think they must be a sign from God. Think of how easily things could have been different.
I think that's really cool that you kept a prayer journal--I did that (tho I never knew to call it that) when I was really young, around the time I became Catholic. I have often thought of writing to God again...I remember aspects of my spirituality emerging when I would write, things I didn't expect. Has that happened to you? I'm sorry that you have experienced the frustration of unanswered prayers. One thing I started doing is just praying that God make me a stronger person so that I am more capable of handling what I can't change. I was thinking that you seem like a very capable person who is really striving towards increased well-being. Maybe that's God working thru you or helping you to do that?
Thanks for asking about my background. I became a Catholic so late (14) and spent more time with the youth group than in church praying. I never really had any ccd, so I feel like there is *so* much about saints, etc. that I don't even know. I smiled when you said that about making the sign of the cross and kneeling in the pew...those are rituals that are very familiar, and you're right, I would miss them.
I'm 36 this month and have 2 young girls, ages 5 and 3. Right now I'm at home with them. It's good for me since I've been trying to work towards some stability with my bipolar condition. I've discovered some of the drugs don't allow for too much activity. How old are you and what kind of work do you do? Do you have children too? Can I tell you how positively impressed I am that you found out your therapist's stepson's grades!!! LOL :) How did you manage that? And have you thought about private investigation as a career? :) I must confess I have found out about my therapist's husband's job too (tho she sort of told me anyway--he's a psychologist too) and a little bit about her siblings, I think. I haven't searched for her in awhile. Tho I definitely latch on to any self-disclosures that she makes. I love that part of therapy! I'm pathetic, I know...
Posted by HannahW on September 18, 2003, at 11:59:55
In reply to Re: Allison--Religion in Therapy » HannahW, posted by allisonf on September 17, 2003, at 12:06:36
It really IS funny to imagine myself throwing up right when some guy thinks he's going to get lucky! I wish I could remember it. I was so drunk, though, that I have no memory of most of the evening. You can imagine my surprise (and panic) to wake up at the party house the next morning wearing someone else's t-shirt, but no bra, and someone else's jeans, but no underwear! I probably never would have known what happened except that my girlfriend, who knew how important my virginity was to me (even though she had already given up hers) went to the guy and demanded to know what happened.
I have definitely always benefited from keeping a prayer journal. I often start out angry, or hurt, or whatever, but end feeling at peace and accepting of God's will. I'm not ready to go back and do that again yet, though.
What day is your birthday? I turn 34 next month. I have a 10 yo boy, another boy that will be six next month, and a 4 yo daughter. When my first son was born, I was certain that I wanted to stay at home and be a domestic goddess. Turns out, I hated it. That began my first bout with major depression. Currently I'm a web developer for an online high school in my local school district. It's a position I've always wanted, so I feel lucky (blessed?).
Since I have access to school records, I was able to dig up my T's stepson's grades. They sucked and he dropped out! Very interesting, I thought. The hard part in finding the juicy info was that she and her husband have different last names, which I didn't know before. Thanks to my Sherlock-sleuthing, I discovered her husband's name which opened up other things to investigate. You think YOU'RE pathetic?! Take a look at ME! :)
Posted by allisonf on September 21, 2003, at 21:44:04
In reply to Re: Allison--Religion in Therapy » allisonf, posted by HannahW on September 18, 2003, at 11:59:55
Hannah, I'm sorry I didn't responded sooner. Busy weekend being that it was my birthday! When is yours--you said, next month? Wow, you have 3 kids! I don't think it's in the cards for me to try past 2, but sometimes I wonder what 3 would be like. Yours are spaced out so nicely, is that on purpose? Your job sounds interesting. Did you have a technical background from before you had kids? I can understand about the change of heart on the domestic goddess thing. I have been home almost 5 years (I can't believe that) and before that was a lawyer. I'm looking to go back to school for counseling psychology next year.
Aha! Very sneaky! You have an "in" to the school records! I am so glad I am not the only one who is driven to this kind of activity! I think I have stumbled on my therp's sibling--she is a well published doctor--so occasionally, I read about her as well. It's crazy what we do for this therapy love, huh?
Posted by Dinah on September 21, 2003, at 21:46:09
In reply to Re: Allison--Religion in Therapy » HannahW, posted by allisonf on September 21, 2003, at 21:44:04
Posted by HannahW on September 22, 2003, at 11:15:19
In reply to Re: Allison--Religion in Therapy » HannahW, posted by allisonf on September 21, 2003, at 21:44:04
Happy birthday! What did you do?
3 kids is nuts--my husband and I are outnumbered! After our oldest was born, we couldn't get pregnant again, despite our efforts with fertility drugs and in-vitro fertilization. Although we were heartbroken for a while, we finally came to a place where we we were happy with our one child and enjoying the things we were beginning to be able to do since he was getting older. Naturally, that's when we got pregnant again! Since we had unsuccessfully tried so hard to get pregnant before, we were certain this second pregnancy was a fluke, so we still didn't use any birth control. (You can see where this story is headed!) Six months after he was born, I was pregnant again! (My husband went in for a vasectomy immediately!) I do really enjoy having the youngest two so close together because they play together so well, and it's really sweet to see how close they are, even though they are different sexes.
What type of law did you practice? Did you just end up not liking it? Is it difficult to have invested so much time into law school only to find yourself wanting to go back to school to do something else? I've changed career goals about a hundred thousand times--sex therapist, astronaut, midwife, marriage counselor, computer scientist, to name a few. I never completed the schooling for any of them, though. I'm not sure whether or not that's a good thing. The result has been that I have a gazillion college credits that don't add up to a degree. I'm currently in school for computer science, and I've promised myself I'm going to finish, no matter what! Although I must confess I've been toying with the sex therapist idea again! Maybe I'll end up incorporating both interests and create a sex help website! ;)
It's cool that you're planning to become a psychologist. It's funny how some life experiences (like therapy) can change the course of our lives in so many ways.
Posted by allisonf on September 22, 2003, at 15:20:31
In reply to Re: Happy birthday :) (nm) » allisonf, posted by Dinah on September 21, 2003, at 21:46:09
Posted by allisonf on September 22, 2003, at 15:44:52
In reply to Re: Allison--Religion in Therapy, posted by HannahW on September 22, 2003, at 11:15:19
Wow, I have heard of so many cases like that where you go thru all kinds of fertility treatments only to get pregnant when you least expect it. One of my good friends did the fertility drugs the first time around and then got pregnant unexpectedly with no problem the second. Talk about something that's really in God's hands...That's neat that your 2nd two are close despite the sex difference. My 2 girls play together all the time, but I often wonder if that would be different if they were boy & girl. Maybe not...
How cool is it that you've had so many different career experiences! How did you go from sex therapist to astronaut? and midwifing--I think that is such an interesting, admirable profession. Sometimes I wish I had done my pregnancies with a midwife--I think it would've been a totally different experience. So, how did you end up in and out of each of these careers? BTW, I think the sex help website could be really big. There is a market for that I think!
It was a real bummer to go so far into the legal profession only to leave for something else. In fact, that was the reason I started therapy years ago. But law was never right for me. When my parents left me at college, I couldn't wait for them to leave so I could start making friends. When they left me at law school, I watched them pull away and cried and cried. Something in me told me it wasn't right, but I was just never very good at trusting my feelings. So, my feelings tell me to go into psychology (they always have...and it's all I read about, I am so interested in it and in people...) but despite that, I still struggle with whether this is the right thing to do. I won't know until I try, right?
Thanks for asking about my birthday! I had dinner out with my husband, no kids. It was a great break!!
Posted by HannahW on September 22, 2003, at 17:41:14
In reply to Re: Allison--Religion in Therapy » HannahW, posted by allisonf on September 22, 2003, at 15:44:52
OH! I only meant that those have all been my career goals at one point or another! Boy, that WOULD be remarkable if I had been all those things! Did you ever see that Mad About You episode where Jaime and her husband (can't for the life of me remember his name right now!) went on a cruise ship and told everyone a different ridiculous story about their professions? It was hysterically funny, and you thinking I really was all of those things makes me think of that! :)
Maybe instead of a sex therapy website I'll be the web developer for Dr. Ruth! :P
I didn't become an astronaut because I found out I'd have to join the Air Force. Military life is not for me! Actually, boot camp is not for me! I wanted to be a sex therapist in high school (mind you, I had very little sexual experience--except for the guy with the condom and the puke!) because I've always been fascinated by sex. I was just sure I knew everything there was to know, long before I'd ever even had sex, myself! Ah, the naivete of the teenager... It turned out I didn't even know the basic mechanics of it! <blush> Anyway, then I got to thinking that I would have to be privy to the sex life of everyone who came into my office--I couldn't discriminate. And there are definitely people whose sex lives you don't want to hear about. Eeew! But the idea still tugs on me at times. I put a year into schooling for midwifery (and never even got to the good stuff) before I realized I couldn't live a lifestyle that was so uncertain. I really like working my predictibly 8 to 5 job, and babies being born aren't good at keeping appointments!
So, here I am, in technology, which I've always been interested in. I'm taking a semester off right now because it was just too much with this depression and therapy thing going on. Hopefully I'll be much more stable and less easily overwhelmed next semester, which starts in November. My meds are finally (after 7 miserable months) getting to a level where they are helping.
The fertility drugs I took were the same ones that people who have septuplets took. A friend of mine took the lowest possible dose of a much milder (in fact, the mildest) fertility drug and had triplets! It was such an unlikely and unusual occurrance that the doctors call them natural triplets instead of fertility drug triplets.
If you're so interested in people and in psychology, then it sounds like you're choosing the right career! And if it turns out not to be right for you, at least you will have learned a lot along the way! And it's probably cheaper and less time consuming than therapy! What kind of psychologist do you plan to be, and how advanced? Social worker, masters or doctorate in psychology? Something else?
Don't you love going on dates with your husband? Being out without the kids is pure heaven. It is for me, anyway, but I know there are lots of people who would rather be with their kids.
I wonder how long before Dr. Bob asks us to take this conversation someplace else?
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Script revised: February 4, 2008
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