Posted by antigua3 on July 17, 2008, at 10:31:31
I've been doing a lot of reading on the therapuetic process from the T/pdoc point of view lately. People on this board have suggested some really valuable books, and I'm hooked on them at the moment.
The best book I read was about how psychotherapy can actually change the neural pathways in the brain, so that after a while of reinforcing the insights we learn in therapy, they become second nature (almost) and represent a new neural pathway has been developed. This can be viewed as the "corrective emotional experience" and now I understand better what my T means. This has helped explain to me why it is that when I get an "Aha!" moment, it still takes a long time for the insight to change my behavior.
In any case, every single book I've read said that the relationship between the T and patient is the absolutely most important thing in therapy. Working through tranference, etc. and having someone whom we can trust, bond with, etc. is the difference between what works and doesn't.
Part of my research has been to better understand my pdoc's therapuetic process. He says he uses "eclectic therapy," meaning he'll use whatever he deems appropriate--CBT or psychodynamic, mostly.
But here's the kick. He doesn't think the relationship between the two of us is "it." He thinks it's the relationship between me and my feelings, etc. Therefore, we don't pursue the relational aspects of our therapy. He always steers any conversation back to me. (This is even after he told me that in a recent placebo study, patients who established a "relationship" with the person dispensing the drug actually did better than those who received the placebo but didn't establish any type of relationship with the dispenser. Go figure!)
In any case, does anyone know what kind of therapy he is actually practicing? I just don't get it. Also, before anyone asks, he is tops in his field--but mostly with meds, maybe, but is involved with many studies on the effects of antidepressents in treating people with all sorts of disorders, etc. He is also affiliated with one of the top research centers in the country.
We have worked very hard in the past year or so and comng close to my core fears, etc., which to date have been unavailable to me except as absolute terror and then I disassociate or shut down. I'm numb at the same time, and can recite things disapssionately but I don't feel them.
I'm not planning on terminating with him anytime soon, but I still keep the option open. He has told me he "cares" but his boundaries are extremely strict. And yes, he does have experience and success in treating people with PTSD.
Any thoughts or ideas?
thanks,
antigua
poster:antigua3
thread:840155
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20080709/msgs/840155.html