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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by catachrest on December 11, 2003, at 16:13:38
I'm a canadian, and when I went to see my doctor about depression, as I couldn't afford to see a private counsellor, I was referred to Mental Health Services through the Health Region. It took a few months to get through the waiting list, but finally I was called and told I had an appointment with "Roy" on such a date and such a time at such a place. It was only at our second session that I finally got a chance to look at his certificate on his wall and find out (a) his last name, and b) his credentials. Turns out his degrees are in Social Work.
That kind of blew me away. I mean, I don't claim to be any kind of expert on psychology or social work, but isn't it kind of odd to send a depressed but otherwise normal young woman to a social worker for counselling? I know I'm not the only person he works with for depression - he has books and stuff on it in his bookcase - but I'm not sure that it's helping.
He seems to take a very practical approach to counselling - almost behaviourist, I suppose you can say, whereas, while I don't really know what exactly I was expecting, I guess I thought it would be more thoughts-and-feelings or something. While perhaps this is useful sometimes, it's very difficult for me to talk to him during the session because he keeps asking me questions I can't answer. Like, "What do you want to change about yourself". Sometimes after I say my piece the conclusion he draws is something I already know, and it's frustrating, because I feel like saying "Why am I here? If I needed to know that I have trouble taking action and making decisions, I could have asked ME - I know that!" (I recognize that that sentence makes very little sense). It's especially frustrating, oddly enough, because my depression has been lightening lately and I don't feel so much like I even NEED counselling - though of course I recognize that until I deal with the issues that depress me I can't be free of anything.
I don't know, I'm rambling I guess, but I'm just frustrated. I don't feel like we're getting anywhere in counselling, we talk about something different every time, and it seems like again and again he'll ask me a question and I'm just silent because I can't think of anything to say, and I'm normally quite articulate. It's very very frustrating.
Maybe the fact that I find it difficult to answer means he's striking nerves - maybe I need a very practical approach like he's using. But it's not very comfortable. I hesitate to break it off, though, because I don't know if I can be referred again if I break off the sessions, and if so, would it take months again? I still can't afford private therapy. Is it just me? Am I just a bad client? Sigh, sigh, sigh.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
Posted by Poet on December 11, 2003, at 23:59:56
In reply to Social worker???, posted by catachrest on December 11, 2003, at 16:13:38
Hi Susan,
You're not a bad client, you're just trying to get comfortable with your therapist. For me, trust took months, and on some things I still can't open up, no matter how nicely she asks the questions.
I'm in the states, my therapist has a master's degree in social work, with advanced training in therapy. I don't know about educational and training requirements in Canada, but I think it must be close.
I've been seeing my therapist for 17 months and I feel like I'm flying backwards for every baby step I take ahead. She told me that this happens in therapy, and that I am progressing, she sees it, even if I can't.
Therapy can be frustrating, but try hard to stick with it. If you don't click with your assigned therapist, ask for another one. Sometimes auditioning therapist, despite the sometimes lengthy wait is best.
Hope I helped.
Poet
Posted by justyourlaugh on December 12, 2003, at 7:40:09
In reply to Re: Social worker???, posted by Poet on December 11, 2003, at 23:59:56
catachrest,
canadain too..
i have been seeing a sw for 3 months once a week..
what do you mean by "private therapy"?
do you mean a pdoc?
you would be surprised how much training and experience sw have..
sw are therapists,,,are they not?
please correct me if i am wrong...??
ask me anything catachest ,,i will try to help with the canadian point of view
jyl
Posted by Penny on December 12, 2003, at 7:46:38
In reply to Social worker???, posted by catachrest on December 11, 2003, at 16:13:38
Clinical social work is another field in which folks do psychotherapy. My former therapist was a clinical social worker, and her style was a little different than my current therapist, who is a psychologist, but she was good nonetheless. I don't know about Canada, but in the states you can be qualified to do psychotherapy with several different degrees - master's in counseling, Ph.D. in psychology, Psy.D., M.S.W., etc.
I think a lot of people think of 'social work' as government folks who work with abused children, that sort of thing. At least here in the states. But, truly, that's only a small part of it. I would expect that your therapist has the necessary training to be a psychotherapist, he just got that training through a social work and not a psychology program.
I'm actually considering going back to school to get my master's in social work (clinical). My psychologist thinks it would be a much more logical road for me to take in becoming a therapist than working toward my Ph.D., which is a much longer process.
Hope this explanation helps. There are many folks here who have therapist with all kinds of backgrounds who can probably give you their own insights.
P
Posted by naiad on December 13, 2003, at 13:37:14
In reply to Social worker???, posted by catachrest on December 11, 2003, at 16:13:38
Over the years I have been in therapy with psychologists and my son has been seen by a pyschiatrist (M.D.). The social worker that I am currently in therapy with is by far the best fit for me. He is very empathic and I am really able to be honest about my feelings with him. So, the point that I am making is that the individual and not necssarily the degree is what is important.
Posted by justyourlaugh on December 13, 2003, at 14:30:58
In reply to Re: Social worker???, posted by naiad on December 13, 2003, at 13:37:14
nai...
i totally agree...
but it does "sting" knowing people are getting paid to be our "friends" ..i mean that it a socially platonic way...
..
perhaps if my husband could be more...
oh wow,,where am i going with this?
..
Posted by naiad on December 13, 2003, at 18:02:15
In reply to Re: Social worker??? » naiad, posted by justyourlaugh on December 13, 2003, at 14:30:58
To clarify, my therapist and I have a relationship but not what I would call a friendship. If I understood your commnet about your husband, I can definitly relate! My husband is a dear but he does not listen to me with the intensity and care of my Social Worker therapist. That is why I keep going back to him...and paying!
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