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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 30. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gazo on March 21, 2007, at 11:57:42
I am seeing stuff here that makes me curious as to what type of therapists you guys see? Sometimes I am blown away by what I read and am coming to understand that maybe what i need is a certain *type* of therapist/therapy. I don't want to be in therapy for 10yrs, but I don't think 6 months is going to cut it either.
Posted by Dinah on March 21, 2007, at 12:36:37
In reply to what type of therapy are you all in?, posted by gazo on March 21, 2007, at 11:57:42
My therapist mainly does CBT short term, but he considers that he's doing long term supportive therapy with me. And I just discovered that if I wish him to switch out of supportive mode I have to explicitly tell him. :)
Posted by 10derHeart on March 21, 2007, at 16:28:09
In reply to what type of therapy are you all in?, posted by gazo on March 21, 2007, at 11:57:42
Psychodynamic, with a pyschologist, very non-directive, very client-centered. But, I've seen him switch mid-sentence to CBT, if necessary, which is okay. He knows me well enough, and is usually responding to something I've asked him to help with that session. He also knows I will protest if that's not working, or what I need, at that moment.
Guess I'm saying he's fairly eclectic.....I know he does relaxation, stress-reduction work with some people, and a a lot of straight CBT and marriage counseling, and works with teenagers. He's been a therapist for nearly 30 years.
We've been working together almost 2.5 years. I did therapy with a pdoc(=psychiatrist) before that who was CBT-focused, and specialized in groups, but did some psychodynamic work with me as best he could. He wasn't too bad at it, IMO, being as he admitted later on that as a pdoc, his training in therapy was pretty lacking. We had a painful termination when he also had to move away, but he handled it beautifully in person and later through emails.
I understand so much of what you're going through, and it hurts like h*ll. It'll get better, I believe. Try to allow the new T. to help. You might be surprised that it helps lessen the intensity a little bit - maybe enough to function better? And unless new T. is very young/green, etc., they have heard clients express pain from transference, and from being attached to/loving a T. before. In the world of therapy, it really is normal, as you probably know from your reading anyway :-)
Hang in there, and welcome to Babble.
Posted by gazo on March 21, 2007, at 16:43:37
In reply to Re: what type of therapy are you all in? » gazo, posted by 10derHeart on March 21, 2007, at 16:28:09
what a sweet post...thanks. I am having a good moment. The sun is shining and I am feeling a bit better for having posted and gotten it out. I really appreciate all the people here being so supportive.
How do you know when he switches in mid-sentence? I am not entirely sure what happens in CBT..I am familiar with the term, but know very little. ALmost every T around here says they do CBT... so i have zero idea if this new T does anything else. I don't think a one-problem-focussed short term thing is going to work for me. I have too many issues in my past. Family issues, abuse issues, sexual assault...etc etc
Posted by gazo on March 21, 2007, at 16:45:05
In reply to Re: what type of therapy are you all in? » gazo, posted by Dinah on March 21, 2007, at 12:36:37
what does supportive therapy mean? Like psychodynamic?
i apologize for being so naive about this.. i don't have a lot of exposure.
Posted by Dinah on March 21, 2007, at 16:51:01
In reply to Re: what type of therapy are you all in? » Dinah, posted by gazo on March 21, 2007, at 16:45:05
My understanding is that supportive therapy concentrates on propping up the client's existing defense mechanisms rather than challenging them to replace them with healthier ones.
So he doesn't challenge me or confront me as much as he would in more exploratory therapy. He does manage to work in CBT as long as he makes it palatable to me first. :)
Posted by bil on March 21, 2007, at 18:26:45
In reply to what type of therapy are you all in?, posted by gazo on March 21, 2007, at 11:57:42
I'm in Do-it-Yourself therapy! (which is unfortunately a bit hit or miss... studying various shamanic techniques at the moment.)
My last T was psychodynamic... she kept expecting me to 'do' transference, and kept asking "and how do you see, (or feel) about me/our relationship in this context?"
I don't think she had been practising long- couldn't drop the Freudian rubbish.
If I could afford it, I would like to try psychosythesis therapy- I think its more well-rounded.
bil
Posted by gazo on March 21, 2007, at 19:24:20
In reply to Re: what type of therapy are you all in? » gazo, posted by Dinah on March 21, 2007, at 16:51:01
that sounds cool. I am glad you feel it works well for you. :)
From what you describe I think I will need something more exploratory maybe. I have some very healthy strong processes, aaaannnndddd then there are some pretty flimsy mechanisms. No one has ever helped me process any of the stuff from when I was a teen, etc...
Posted by annierose on March 21, 2007, at 19:49:16
In reply to what type of therapy are you all in?, posted by gazo on March 21, 2007, at 11:57:42
Psychodynamic - 3x per week - leaning towards analysis.
Love the connection I feel with my therapist (most of the time) and hate it when it goes off course. I've been with her for 3 years. I still have issues that need addressing - it's so darn hard to look at all that bad stuff - and I tend to get defensive. So her role is also to be supportive as well.
I think she has helped me become a much better mother.
Posted by Poet on March 21, 2007, at 23:29:26
In reply to what type of therapy are you all in?, posted by gazo on March 21, 2007, at 11:57:42
Hi Gazo,
Welcome to babble!
My T is very eclectic, she combines psychodynamic therapy with energy work: Reiki and others. It's not traditional, but it works for me and is why I chose to see her. I've been in therapy for four years and don't see an end in sight because there is so much more to work on. Sigh. Big Sigh.
Poet
Posted by Happyflower on March 22, 2007, at 5:16:26
In reply to what type of therapy are you all in?, posted by gazo on March 21, 2007, at 11:57:42
My T is mostly a cognitive therapist, but he uses all the models of therapy too when it will fit the client, so I guess he is a jack of all trades! lol
He specializes in the treatment of trama and is trained in the use of EMDR, which he has done for over 10 years with some great successes.
He also works a lot with teenagers and children.
He is a school psychologist for one of our local private elementary-middle schools.He has been practicing for over 20 years and also supervises the beginning T's at our local college sometimes.
He does a lot of volunteer work for the prevention of child abuse. He is a gem for sure, was nominated as a "hero" in our city. LOL.
Posted by gazo on March 22, 2007, at 8:32:00
In reply to what type of therapy are you all in?, posted by gazo on March 21, 2007, at 11:57:42
Thank guys! The differences and similarities are very interesting. I will respond to individuals a little later as I am trying to hurry out the door! ACK!
I just have a quick question for the people who have CBT T's... generally from what i read it may work well for me BUT i am concerned... would a CBT T be right for also dealing with a sexual assault? or working on traumatic events from my younger years considering I already know what those are? I am worried he would not want to work on those or make me terminate therapy before i am ready.
would love feedback... thanx
Posted by Happyflower on March 22, 2007, at 9:48:43
In reply to Re: what type of therapy?Quickie for the CBT peeps, posted by gazo on March 22, 2007, at 8:32:00
Hi Gaze,
My T used cognitive therapy for my past early trauma to desensitize the memories using EMDR. I have been in therapy for over 2 years and normally people with just a single issue can quit therapy maybe in a short time, but my T said I had more "fires" to put out and it would take longer. He told me he would work with me for as long as it takes to help me as long as therapy is being helpful. But my T is in a private practice and he has control over this where maybe a center has to follow srict guidelines on the amount of time.
My T uses CBT and we dove into my past, we had no choice in order to EMDR. I think every T does things different, so I would ask your T about it because if he is CBT, it doesn't mean he won't work on the past. Good Luck!
Posted by Dinah on March 22, 2007, at 9:51:17
In reply to Re: what type of therapy?Quickie for the CBT peeps, posted by gazo on March 22, 2007, at 8:32:00
A CBT therapist would probably take a here and now approach to trauma, if I understand it correctly. They would address the ways it's affecting your thoughts and behaviors today.
But only the CBT purists would stick completely to the CBT model if they think you need something else in any given area. Many of them introduce other elements into therapy.
Posted by gazo on March 22, 2007, at 12:06:53
In reply to Re: what type of therapy?Quickie for the CBT peeps » gazo, posted by Happyflower on March 22, 2007, at 9:48:43
wow, that is very reassuring. I have major issues around worrying aboutasking too much of him, along with fear of trust and abandonment issues.. haha, i'm a mess.:S
thanks.. but what is EDMR?
Posted by gazo on March 22, 2007, at 12:15:26
In reply to Re: what type of therapy?Quickie for the CBT peeps » gazo, posted by Dinah on March 22, 2007, at 9:51:17
Thank you for responding. :)
> A CBT therapist would probably take a here and now approach to trauma, if I understand it correctly. They would address the ways it's affecting your thoughts and behaviors today.
That is cool with me. I know what the big events are,so I don't need to examine to discover them, at least I don't think so.. lol! I do need to express what the events were and to discuss what that resulted in. Does that make sense? Will that fit into their "model."
> But only the CBT purists would stick completely to the CBT model if they think you need something else in any given area. Many of them introduce other elements into therapy.That sounds perfect! I really hope he is that way. I am so afraid to even ask because if he can't or won't address certain things then I am afraid he will tell me he can't work with me. :(
Posted by Dinah on March 22, 2007, at 12:21:47
In reply to Re: what type of therapy?Quickie for the CBT peeps, posted by gazo on March 22, 2007, at 12:15:26
Better to find out early if he isn't right for you.
It hurts a lot more later.
Posted by gazo on March 22, 2007, at 12:26:56
In reply to Re: what type of therapy are you all in? » gazo, posted by annierose on March 21, 2007, at 19:49:16
i have wondered if psychodynamic would be right for me... but there is no way I could afford it really. As it is I will be seeing this guy every second week. :(
the connection you have sounds wonderful. You guys have really boosted my hopes for this new T.
Posted by gazo on March 22, 2007, at 12:29:54
In reply to Re: what type of therapy are you all in?, posted by Poet on March 21, 2007, at 23:29:26
i hear ya.. I don't know what this new T is going to say about what he expects as far as duration goes. I don't think he understands yet just how big a mess I am...lol.
what happens in reiki?
Posted by gazo on March 22, 2007, at 12:32:45
In reply to Re: what type of therapy are you all in?, posted by Happyflower on March 22, 2007, at 5:16:26
A hero eh? :D That sounds very cool. If he were my T I think I would have to rzz him about that. he sounds absolutely wonderful.
Posted by Happyflower on March 22, 2007, at 12:34:20
In reply to Re: what type of therapy?Quickie for the CBT peeps » Happyflower, posted by gazo on March 22, 2007, at 12:06:53
Hi gazo,
The best thing is just to ask him about this stuff since every therapist is different no matter what they specialize in. (in training you have to learn most of the ways) CBT is the most used today and is very effective but not for everyone of course.
As far as childhood traumas, a congitive therpist talk about the past because many of your thoughts are because of the past. Many critics of the CBT say that you only work on the surface stuff for short term therapy. Well a lot of times that is all you need if it something minor. But for tramatic things, especially from the past, they do work with you the past. Some of the best cognitive therapy is done with desenalization of the tramatic events. Most cognitive T's are not short term athough they do that too because some problems don't need years to work out. A lot of people are forced to doing short term either because of insurance benefits or lack of funds. But for the stuff you are talking about, I am sure most T's would work with you through all of your stuff. Now many will not do forever therapy because some feel it is very unethical to continue to see a client who is okay mostly (everyone has problems). I know not everyone
agrees with me on this, but it is my views. Besides I think it would suck to be in therapy forever, and I have one of the worst child abuse experiences that my T's has ever seen, and this is an area he specializes in. Even though I will be sad to leave therapy, I am kinda happy about it tooso I can move on with my life and take what I learned from my T and improve my life.
So I guess the best thing to do is to find the right fit for what you think you need and the best way to do that is to ask your T "how " he does therapy.
As far as what EMDR is, check out EMDR.com, which can explain it better than me. It doesn't work with everyone, but it changes my life, and I am so happy I did it.
Posted by gazo on March 22, 2007, at 13:02:12
In reply to Re: what type of therapy?Quickie for the CBT peeps » gazo, posted by Happyflower on March 22, 2007, at 12:34:20
that helps.. thanks :) I am going to write him a letter and drop it off before session. I am unlikely to be able to ask in person.
That edmr stuff sounds very interesting. I am very happy it works well for you. :) I always say that if it works then it's a good thing.
Posted by Poet on March 22, 2007, at 15:48:53
In reply to Re: what type of therapy are you all in? » Poet, posted by gazo on March 22, 2007, at 12:29:54
Hi Gazo,
When my T runs energy work on me, she sits behind me and just lightly touches my shoulders. I usually feel warmth throughout my body and I have my eyes closed, but see colors. Afterwards I feel emotionally and physically lighter.
Poet
Posted by gazo on March 22, 2007, at 16:34:57
In reply to Re: what type of therapy are you all in? » gazo, posted by Poet on March 22, 2007, at 15:48:53
that sounds cool... I was just reading about eclectic stuff and it sounds great. I am kind weird about touch. :/ My issue.
Posted by Honore on March 23, 2007, at 3:28:30
In reply to Re: what type of therapy are you all in? » gazo, posted by annierose on March 21, 2007, at 19:49:16
My T is an analyst (interpersonal, which is a type of psychodynamic psychoanalsysis, different in approach from more Freudian=deprived psychoanalysis-- although they are evolving much closer now).
I see him more as a therapist than an analyst-- but you could also say it's analysis. Mostly because that's what he "does'--
It's more intensive ( in numbers of time a week and in emotional investment in the process and in him) and long term.
I don't necessarily recommend it unless you really need it== which I do-- because it's very time-consuming and emotionally draining. But T can become a separate seeming "source" of emotional problems-- in some way that's how it helps, but repeating and concentrating some other emotional issues in terms of the therapy relationship, and then finding ways of working them through differently and better than you have in your RL.
I would agree that you have to give yourself permission to be a little obsessed and sad over the ending of the therapy. No good new T would look at your feelings as other than an important development in your emotional life, that you need help processing.
But it is good to test a new T before putting everything out there-- you don't know who s/he is-- and whether you have the sort of connection that can contain the feelings.
Honore
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