Professional help

Several have mentioned seeking council. Have you?

what exactly does a therapist do?

Gimster, I'll try to explain what a therapist is: a psychiatrist can be a therapist. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor with additional training in psycho-therapy. The main difference between a psychiatrist and other therapists is that a psychiatrist can prescribe medications. These days, psychiatrists have taken on the expertise in evaluating a patient for the patient's need for medications such as anti-depressants. A regular physician can prescribe anti-depressants, but does not provide the "talk therapy" that comes along with psychiatry. Psychiatrists are often in positions of research and administration of major mental/behavioral units. Because their fees are the most expensive, there has been a movement toward the use of other providers of therapy. Social workers provide 65% of the therapy these days, because they are the least expensive, and HMO's and PPOs hire them for the patients that need "talk therapy." Social workers will consult with a psychiatrist in an "interdisciplinary" approach for a patient's care. Oh, sometimes patients in therapy are called "clients" especially if the patient is not also in medical care. A psychologist, with a doctorate, does evaluation of the patient, providing standardized testing to determine what, if any, illness the patient has, such as depression. A psychologist can also be trained and licensed as a psycho-therapist. Same is true of a social worker, who cannot practice psycho therapy without a masters, or doctorate, and licensing as well as other credentials. Besides talk therapy, therapy can also come in the form of art therapy, music therapy, etc. Therapists may have different approaches, such as cognitive therapy (your patterns of thinking) or behavioral therapy. It depends on their training which approach they use. Some therapists are trained in "crisis" therapy. I don't want to seem self-serving, but I would be remiss if I did not tell you this: my book takes place in the context of my therapy sessions. In other words, the reader of the book is like a "fly on the wall" as I go through the process of "talk therapy." For me, the process was life-changing for the better. The book "A Million Little Pieces" has brief exposure to his therapy sessions, but James Frey's focus is cynical throughout the process until much later in the book. As you can see from your poll, not only was therapy beneficial, but also it is recommended. I hope this answer to your question is helpful.

gimster, another thing we shouldn't rule out these days is using a coach. It's becoming huge with women at midlife. Try Googling coach institute. You will find there are many that pertain to all topics imaginable. Just another thought. Coaches deal with the present and move you forward with goals. It's very proactive.

That's a great idea Dotsie. I will google this later when I have time. I am on break at work, but I want to keep up with this subject and add to it when I can. I'll take the survey later as well.

Thanks for bringing this up Gimster!

Love and Cheers,
Cathi

Thanks big time, Princess. You gave me some information I truly need. I can use the info to get better care for my mom, I think.

Dotsie, I might scare a coach away. REALLY! But, I actually passed this suggestion on to my youngest daughter. I think it would be great for her.

Aren't these women great, cathi?

They certainly are Gimster and so are you! This is the best forum in the world no doubt about it, thanks Dotsie. It's the one place I can come to and make friends, not walk on eggshells and just have fun! I just wish I had more time to come here.

Love you all alot!

Cheers,
Cathi

Back atchya, cathi...

We have life coaches in BWS and NABBW.

yea think anno is one.

good poll gimster

I don't know about Anno, but for sure Jane Carroll is. She has a radio show too: Loving Life Radio. And her book Bertha....Jane are you here? Gimster, so if you use the information to get better care for your mom, and you pass the coach notion along to you daughter, may I ask how will you take care of your self? Just wondering, my friend. L, PL

PL, I'm first going to get a complete physical...rule out vitamin/mineral deficiencies. AND, as of tonight, I am going to find a hypnotherapist. The more I talk to a couple of my siblings about our childhood and what is going on these days, I feel the need. There are really only two questions I want answers for and it might be that I'm simply repressing (is that the correct term) the memories surrounding them. Oh, and I'm going to try some "product" on my hair again. I think getting better help for my mom will also help me, too... in a big way!
One more question: Can life coaches work over long distances?
Boy, I sure do feel like I'm getting the better end of the deal in regards to these threads/discussions. Truly, I'm not as narcissist as it might appear. At least, I don't try to be. But, I don't believe I've had so many wise and caring women to talk to ~ EVER ~ in my life.

Yes, many coaches work by phone. I have been coached professionally by phone and it's awesome!

I noticed that Anno is a life coach, as well as Jane Carroll, and Casey, and each one has a link from here to her site. Sorry, I don't know the others. Hi Gims, as far as memories, there is repression and there is suppression. In brief, if you have a memory and you consciously tell yourself NOT to remember, and you push it to the back of your mind, then it is suppressed. I was told by the perpetrators "You will remember nothing." Consciously, I said, "Oh yes I will, how can I forget" but then I literally trained my mind to push the memory back. When the mind is "ready" to release the memory it can come through. That was my case after 30+ years of suppressing. Usually, suppression is specific to a certain event or experience. Repression is more like a block of an entire period of time. You don't even know you are putting a memory in the back of your mind, the memory goes to repression and you have no choice. There are many books on the topic; this is as brief as I can get. No one would call you a narcissist. A narcissist has no concept of the world from another's point of view. The only perspective a narcissist has is of herself, and how the world and others affect her. You are just reaching out for help, which is a healthy personality! I have an extensive list of resources on my site in terms of books related to recovering memories especially of childhood. Recovering childhood memories, relationships with parents and siblings, and overcoming a traumatic past is my expertise. You can ask me anything, if you want, on the forums or in PM. L, PL

gimster well done in making a decision to find a hypnotheripist, all considered and wot you been told about this type of theripie it reallie is a big steap forwared for you, a big bold one. I can onlie apploud that.
hope it goes well for you and you get a good choice.