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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 Meatwood_Flack on March 8, 2013, at 4:13:36
First of all, I truly appreciate your welcoming attitude. It definitely helps to break the ice and start things off on a positive note. I appreciate you asking questions that seek to get to the heart of my distress. I applaud your goal-oriented approach to my case. Your obvious empathy helps to put me at ease. However, these hard-won gains are quickly lost when you don the p*m p*ms and become my personal cheerleader. Using words like "awesome" and "amazing" only serve to make me wonder if you've actually been listening to me. Also, if I've already told you that nothing brings me pleasure, don't tell me to go do something fun. I will be the first to acknowledge that yours is a difficult job. But exuberance is no substitute for listening. And saying things like, "The fact that you were able to make it here is something to be proud of," only makes me feel like you're peeing on my leg and calling it rain. If all I needed was for someone to give me a "Rah, rah, rah!" I have people at home already doing that. I don't need my ego inflated, I need you to listen and formulate a plan that I can follow. There is a fine line between support and condescension. Sometimes, less is more.
Posted by Dinah on March 8, 2013, at 7:35:43
In reply to Note To Therapists, posted by Meatwood_Flack on March 8, 2013, at 4:13:36
That would be an excellent sign to me that this would not be the right therapist, if it was a first appointment. All that cheer tends to make me morose. I do much better with a more balanced and cautiously optimistic tone. I wonder if there's some way to prescreen on the phone?
Fortunately there are as many types of therapist as could be needed. What would your ideal therapist say at a first meeting?
Posted by Dinah on March 8, 2013, at 8:05:45
In reply to Note To Therapists, posted by Meatwood_Flack on March 8, 2013, at 4:13:36
As best I can recall, I think my therapist's first session message was something along the lines of.
"It sounds as if you've been having a hard time of it lately. I'm glad you're here, and I hope I can help."
Posted by Phillipa on March 8, 2013, at 9:34:45
In reply to Note To Therapists, posted by Meatwood_Flack on March 8, 2013, at 4:13:36
What a perfect discription of what I experienced with them wouldn't set foot inside another therapist's office. Then is the forgetting what the assignment was they gave as they look aimlessly around the room. Get me out of there now I feel worse that when I entered the office.!!! Listen and hear my distress and pain. But none have and none will and getting late in life. I guess will continue to be my own therapist and pay myself. Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on March 8, 2013, at 19:40:29
In reply to Re: Note To Therapists » Meatwood_Flack, posted by Phillipa on March 8, 2013, at 9:34:45
I don't think it's possible to truly be one's own therapist. Part of what makes therapy work is the stance of detached caring. You're way too involved in your own life to achieve the appropriate outsider view.
It's a shame you've had bad ones. I do think there are therapists out there that might suit you. If I found one, everyone could. I'm like Mikey. I don't like any, except for my own Life cereal.
Posted by Phillipa on March 8, 2013, at 21:03:51
In reply to Re: Note To Therapists » Phillipa, posted by Dinah on March 8, 2013, at 19:40:29
Dinah we are similar is very different ways. Don't know if this makes any sense to you or really to me either. I'm strange. Phillipa
Posted by Meatwood_Flack on March 9, 2013, at 3:33:21
In reply to Note To Therapists, posted by Meatwood_Flack on March 8, 2013, at 4:13:36
To be fair to her, she was also goal oriented and got down to business quickly. It's just that the sales pitch got in the way. And I can sit at home and watch Tony Robbins videos if that's all I'm after. Others may benefit greatly from her style. I would prefer a little more cake and a little less icing.
This is the end of the thread.
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