Therapy, psychology, and all that jazz.

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Sun Aug 03, 2014 12:10 pm

I've seen what therapists charge to sit there and do nothing... there's a reason no one will buy their service unless they get someone else to pay.

OK, I've got a chip on my shoulder about that... I tried going to a few during some bad times a few years back. Biggest bullshit racket ever. Paid ridiculous rate for nothing. If I want to bitch about what's up, I've got friends who are much better for that. They actually care. Anyone who thinks their therapist cares should try not paying them and see how much they care about you!

[Mod note: this discussion was moved from "Page Two". I've tried to move as many of the therapy posts as possible that didn't have anything to do with what Page Two is there for - Eric]

Jovankat · Post by **Jovankat** » Sun Aug 03, 2014 12:25 pm

If by therapist you mean psychologist they do at least have science to back them up and lots of people do find them helpful, myself included. Of course you've gotta find the right one for you. I walked into my first appointment and saw my therapist had a blue mohawk and a )*( tattoo and knew I'd made a great choice

Any lesser counselling qualifications are going to be even more hit or miss.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Sun Aug 03, 2014 12:36 pm

I've seen two Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and they were my favorite practitioners ever. They were much more focused on practical stuff, rather than dream interpretation.
I agree, however, that the Captain may not have had a good fit.

BSG--I think you took a bullet for the team. I'm sure there were a lot of itchy fingers poised over poisonous keyboards there. We just have to avoid all jumping on her at once if she replies.

Lonesomebri · Post by **Lonesomebri** » Sun Aug 03, 2014 12:42 pm

Yes science..... If my car mechanic or real doctor, after I had told them the symptoms and asked what the problem was, replied "Well, what do you think?", I would doubt the "science".
I had my tonsils out when I was 10, never saw a tonsillectomy specialist ever again, never, 'cause that's science. I wonder what the "cure" rate is for psychologists.

Burning Man is fun and all, but it will not fix your life problems....? What? It has the science to back it.

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Sun Aug 03, 2014 12:48 pm

Lonesomebri wrote: I had my tonsils out when I was 10, never saw a tonsillectomy specialist ever again, never, 'cause that's science. I wonder what the "cure" rate is for psychologists.

0%!! You're supposed to just keep coming to them. And bringing all your money, rather exorbitant rates.

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Sun Aug 03, 2014 1:19 pm

If you could do exactly as I say, I could fix whatever emotional problem you think you have in 8 hours or less.

This doesn't work because people are so resistant to change!!!

tamarakay · Post by **tamarakay** » Sun Aug 03, 2014 7:08 pm

Captain Goddammit wrote:
Lonesomebri wrote: I had my tonsils out when I was 10, never saw a tonsillectomy specialist ever again, never, 'cause that's science. I wonder what the "cure" rate is for psychologists.
0%!! You're supposed to just keep coming to them. And bringing all your money, rather exorbitant rates.

I had a stress related breakdown (chronicled in my blog) and went to a therapist who helped me greatly. She helped me with calming techniques, with practical ways to rewire my crazy brain, with using creativity to get outside of my spiraling emotions, and when she felt like I was strong again cut me loose.

I think you just had a bad therapist captain.

Lonesomebri · Post by **Lonesomebri** » Sun Aug 03, 2014 7:30 pm

Agreed: Talking over problems and seeking others help is great. You wanna do it with good sympathetic people, not bad or ineffective.
...and this has to do with a degree, how?
For me one of the problems was the conceit of the professional because he saw it as a truth he held, without humility and humanity, but without any insight or diagnosis. Sure,a bad therapist, and talking things over with a close friend worked better. This kinda betrays the science part. If it's chemical or physical imbalances in the brain, sure, science, but otherwise, I don't know. That's all.

Jovankat · Post by **Jovankat** » Sun Aug 03, 2014 8:42 pm

Lonesomebri wrote:Yes science..... If my car mechanic or real doctor, after I had told them the symptoms and asked what the problem was, replied "Well, what do you think?", I would doubt the "science".
I had my tonsils out when I was 10, never saw a tonsillectomy specialist ever again, never, 'cause that's science. I wonder what the "cure" rate is for psychologists.

Captain Goddammit wrote: 0%!! You're supposed to just keep coming to them. And bringing all your money, rather exorbitant rates.

See I read this and assume that you guys would get shitty when you weren't suddenly all svelte and fit after a handful of visits to the gym

It takes time to come to realise that something you've been thinking or doing for years and years is problematic and even longer to get out of the habit of doing it.

Talking to a good friend can be really useful but I find my psych to be waaaaay better at asking the right questions, pointing out patterns and helping me realise things and then actually explain why they're happening and how to deal with it. I guess I just really notice how much more *expert* she is at this stuff compared to a random friend. I really appreciate hearing from people who are actual experts in a particular field, I'm always surprised at how much more to something there is than I realise whether is hair dressing, house painting or psychology.

Also she never interrupts me to tell me about her problems

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Sun Aug 03, 2014 9:11 pm

Jovankat wrote:
Also she never interrupts me to tell me about her problems

At $90/hr the rip-off artist better not bother me with their problems or I'd give 'em a new one!

I have a gym membership. Gyms don't charge that much. My issue with psycho quacks is what they think their time is worth.
Everyone knows they are the most messed up in the head people around, themselves.

Jovankat · Post by **Jovankat** » Sun Aug 03, 2014 9:18 pm

Pretty much anyone who has spent that long at university charges at least that per hour actually, some a hell of a lot more.

Sounds to me more like you're afraid these highly trained professionals might actually be right about you.

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Sun Aug 03, 2014 9:33 pm

That's not true at all. There's a hell of a lot of people with as much or more training that aren't hitting people's insurance company for that much money, to sit there and do virtually nothing.
A HELL of a lot of 'em. People who actually DO something for a living to earn their keep.
But hey, I figured out what my problem was, got rid of her, and life's never been better!
Handing that kind of money to a rip off artist is optional. Some of us aren't that foolish.

Jovankat · Post by **Jovankat** » Sun Aug 03, 2014 9:44 pm

I'm going to stop this conversation because you clearly have your mind made up and nothing I can say about the complicated statistics, peer reviewed scientific articles or millions of people who have been helped by therapy is going to change your mind. I'm entirely confident I know more than you on this topic and that I'm right. If you're not interested in learning I can't help you and it doesn't surprise me in the slightest that a therapist wasn't able to either.

You might think I'm foolish but I think you're both ignorant and rude.

Oldguy · Post by **Oldguy** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 12:24 am

My shrink has the best drugs.

mgb327 · Post by **mgb327** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 4:17 am

Green Jeebus, CG, I thought I was right once, and my girlfriend simply told me I "didn't have all the facts yet". I just loves me some smart people.....

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 4:31 am

wow.

i didn't realize 2nd year meglomania extended into defaultia as well.

there's probably pills for that.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 4:36 am

I have a degree in Psychology and began a graduate course to become a family therapist. I quit because I hate whiny people. Yet here I am.... fuckos, gotta love them all. Mostly.

mgb327 · Post by **mgb327** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 4:39 am

Well, I was just doing the dishes and thinking...I agree with CG on many aspects of this "discussion", so does that make me rude and ignorant? Am I doing it wrong? Am I beyond help? Truth be told, I had a long-term relationship with a noted psychiatrist. I was having a little trouble making/keeping friends. She noted that I would sometimes say what I was thinking, thereby "putting them off". I was taught that if I thought someone was rude and stupid, that I probably should not say it to them "out loud". I found I could have a plethora of friends...good ones. I know CG, and think he is a capable, friendly and smart man. You however, have shown me that you cannot be a friend.

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 5:13 am

Ok... I know I ranted way too much about therapists. I had an ex who spent every extra dollar, and plenty of dollars that weren't "extra" ones, going to see some lady who only ever heard her side of the story and pretty much sat there taking all my money to tell her she was great and I was the source of everything. That particular ex was one of those people who EVERYONE I knew didn't like...
There were some other run-ins with therapists I won't bore you all with but in every case I ever witnessed and/or paid heavily for, they were primarily successful in extorting large amounts of money.

My experience with them is 100% bad, and cost me a lot. So when the subject comes up, sometimes I rant a little...
I'm sure there's a good therapist at a decent rate somewhere.

On Mars.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 5:25 am

"Stop it. Or I will bury you alive in a box". I would so be that therapist.

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 5:32 am

Well you would be a good one!

Dr. Pyro · Post by **Dr. Pyro** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 5:33 am

I don't see a helluva lot of difference between a therapist (or is that the rapist?) and a chiropractor. As soon as the insurance money runs out, "you're cured." They're both a couple of quacks if you ask me.

VultureChow · Post by **VultureChow** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 6:04 am

Well we can't all be as happy and well adjusted as Doc and The Captain.

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 6:19 am

Yes you can. Just go see Doc Pyro and have a little of the "medicine" he's always got.

chuckularone · Post by **chuckularone** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 7:10 am

I spent two years seeing a psychiatrist for my depression, I'd "pay" $120 a half hour, once a month to get a prescription and tell him I'm still feeling shitty. He'd adjust my meds and send me on my way. At the end of the two years I weaned myself off the meds and started seeing a therapist. I spent 13 months seeing her once a week and she helped me figure out what I was doing wrong. I made some changes and got better. No drugs, just some serious attitude and behavior changes. Then she told me she wouldn't need to see me anymore. I felt a little lost for a couple of months, but I haven't been back to the "bad place" since then.

It seems that if you find someone who works well with you you can get better. If you don't; You don't.

That's all I have to say on the topic, back to your regularly scheduled Page Two.

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 8:33 am

I find it a little surprising that a Marine thinks that the science of psychology had nothing to do with the man he is today regardless of his experiences with incompetent practitioners later in life.

GreyCoyote · Post by **GreyCoyote** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 9:21 am

I saw a psychologist for a year and a half. Totally cured me of my celibate depression.

After we broke-up, I sent her a bill... (-rimshot!-)

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 9:26 am

I consider it a faith-based thing. If you believe they help, then for you they do.
If you're rational and sane, you realize how badly they are raping your bank account just to let you figure out your own issues!

chuckularone · Post by **chuckularone** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 9:57 am

Captain Goddammit wrote:I consider it a faith-based thing. If you believe they help, then for you they do.
If you're rational and sane, you realize how badly they are raping your bank account just to let you figure out your own issues!

Not everyone has the tool set to solve their own problems out of the gate. For me, the depression caused me to lack the motivation to solve my own problems. It's never so simple as just saying, "Cheer up!" It took some time (and (oddly) the absence of anti-depressants) to get me back to a positive outlook.

YMMV

Post by **Elderberry** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 12:54 pm

Since this thread was moved to here, I'll add my 2 cents. (I don't do number threads.

)

I pretty much feel the same way the Captain does about therapists/psychologists/psychiatrists. Plus, I don't share/burden my problems with anyone. I work things through myself. But that's just me. However, I did go to couples therapy after the first year of my relationship and that actually helped greatly. (Though I also felt the way the Captain did about that too, as I thought the therapist favored my partner.) But, regardless, I played along and it work. It's going on ten years together now. And similarly to Tamara's story, what was helpful was even though I didn't much care for the therapist, he helped me understand where my partner was coming from,recognize certain triggers, and in general improve our ability to communicate.

Then after what ended up being the last session, we both just looked at each other and knew there was no reason to return for more.

The end.