Posted by Daisym on October 6, 2006, at 23:48:04
In reply to Questions about therapy from a newbie, posted by NthnBrazil on October 6, 2006, at 5:19:53
So here is my question: Is this what its going to be like the whole time or is this just sort of a get-to-know-you period at the beginning while he figures out where I'm coming from? Don't get me wrong, I didn't expect to get "fixed" in the first session, I just want to know what I'm in for.
***The likelihood is that if this is his style, things will stay more or less the same. Except you will both have more to talk about as you get to know each other. There are techniques to psychodynamic therapy that include silences and reflective listening -- some of it drives me nuts. I "call" my own therapist on it a lot.Originally I was interested in a CBT or REBT approach which I had researched a little online, but after interviewing with the practice (its a group practice that's part of a hospital, so they have therapists of all kinds available) they assigned me to someone who uses "psychodynamics" method. I looked into that online as well and saw its more of the traditional psycho-therapy style I would have imagined before hearing about CBT or REBT. Now I don't know if I should push to follow my first instinct and switch to a different therapist, or acknowledge that I don't really know how it works and just go with this guy.
****One of the things no one told me when I started therapy is that you can ask A LOT more questions in the beginning than later on -- at least you can ask them without so much baggage. So this would be a great time to ask him - "how do you see us working together?" and about the CBT stuff. I would ask questions about how long he typically sees clients too, that way you can gauge if this is what you are looking for as well. Assignments are made to therapists for all kinds of reasons, including he had an opening. So don't assume "they know best."
If it stays the same throughout I feel like I'm going to start having anxiety over getting therapy for my anxiety. .
*****I had to laugh. I've often said, "I need therapy for therapy." It is why I came looking for Babble so long ago. Therapy can be very anxiety provoking. But all in all, it has helped me. But then again, I think I have a pretty good therapist. :) Welcome to Babble.
poster:Daisym
thread:692320
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20060926/msgs/692581.html