Posted by Dinah on October 6, 2004, at 23:35:22
In reply to The Point of therapy, posted by shortelise on October 6, 2004, at 13:14:50
I think you have done a terrific job of clarifying your idea of what therapy should be.
I'm not nearly so clear. :)
These days, I'll bet therapy is a short term educational service for most clients. Walk in with a presenting problem, be taught tools to deal with them. Therapist and client meeting as two adults, with the therapist more of a paid professional working for the client.
I think that's probably how I started. "I'm having panic attacks. I don't want to know why or explore the roots of my whatever. Just give me a toolkit and tell me how to use the tools in it."
But it turns out that the panic attacks were related to stressors in my environment. And when I took the time to think back, I realized that I had always responded to stress badly. I bear up well for a while, then fall apart. So therapy became a way to keep me functioning at my best ability.
I guess for some people, then, therapy can be a way to keep working and fulfilling obligations without falling apart. Maintenance. I think that's what it is for me. As my therapist says, that doesn't mean that growth can't happen along the way. :) But therapy itself becomes part of the toolbox. Right alongside meditation, relaxation techniques, exercise, hot baths, ice cream, and medications. I suspect this view of therapy is not culturally popular. It's expected that you're to go to therapy, get as fixed as possible, and move on into real life. The idea of using therapy itself to maximize real life is frequently not well received. I don't think of it as therapy as a way of life so much as therapy as an aide to life. But that's me, and I never intend to leave, so I may be biased.
I suspect others are looking for healing. I think that is probably what you describe.
And others are probably looking for enhancements. They aren't really unwell, they're just looking to understand themselves better or to maximize their lives in some way.
And maybe there are many more points. Maybe as many points as there are clients. :)
At least that's my guess. I'll have to ask my therapist.
poster:Dinah
thread:399630
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20041002/msgs/399851.html