Posted by daisym on December 26, 2004, at 19:42:12
In reply to Lifetime Therapy, posted by alexandra_k on December 26, 2004, at 18:25:05
Wow, Alexandra, your post struck me as sad. Like you've had some very tough experiences in relation to your therapy.
I'm not sure how to respond without it coming off as defensive so I guess I'll just say straight out that I agree with some of what you said but disagree strongly with your comparisons.
I don't see therapy as a forever thing...at least the insight part. But I can see why it would be valuable with regards to ongoing support. There is something important about being able to explore your feelings about things without always having to be careful.
I don't see a resemblence between my therapist and a drug dealer or a prostitute. Those occupations are about making money,(and they are illegal if not immoral) not helping someone. Would you compare a doctor or teacher to these people? They get paid, and we get attached. How come we seem to consider these more "noble" than therapists? Something that always occurs to me is that people seek out therapy and therapists...it isn't like they go trolling for clients. They aren't enticing folks into therapy, nor are they coercing them into staying. And while I agree it is a service, I think it is little like childcare, as a service. We are paying for someone to care for our children, but we want someone who genuinely likes kids and grows fond of OUR kids. That connection makes for a relationship, above and beyond the money. I don't want my kids to just be interchangeable with any old kid...just like I hope my therapist looks at me as an individual, not "adjustment disorder 40-something female."
I do hear the concern about encouraging dependency. But what if we reframe it as attachment, mutual respect and interdependency, instead of something prejorative? I think like most things in life, one-size does NOT fit all and people have different needs for different kinds of therapy. Aren't we all glad that so many types exist for us to choose from?
I hope you find what you are looking for.
Daisy
poster:daisym
thread:432629
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20041218/msgs/434432.html