Psychiatrist Reacts to: "Therapy does nothing"

TL;DR

The individual has been struggling with their mental health for years, feeling like therapists have not offered helpful advice. They are looking for guidance on what direction to take.

Transcript

so it feels like therapists never actually do anything looking to vent my frustrations and advice on what direction to take um for the past six to seven years i'm 26 now my mental health has been in the gutter to put put it quite simply i don't want to be alive it feels like too much work and too much suffering every day the reason i am still alive... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Therapists often avoid giving direct answers or guidance, instead expecting patients to lead the way.
• 💌 The therapist's training focuses on reflection and letting the patient come to their own conclusions, which can be frustrating for individuals seeking solutions.
• 🚨 Coaching has emerged as a field that offers more guidance and external focus compared to traditional therapy.
• 🪡 Therapists may need to take more responsibility for their patients' outcomes and be willing to learn and adapt their approaches.
• 🖤 The lack of feedback and measurement of outcomes in therapy can hinder improvement and growth.
• 🙈 Trying coaching as an alternative to therapy may be worth considering for individuals who have not seen progress or helpful guidance in therapy.
• 💉 Mental health professionals should be open to exploring different approaches and considering the needs and preferences of their patients.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why does the individual feel frustrated with therapists?

The individual feels frustrated because therapists often do not offer any advice or direction, instead expecting the patient to lead and figure out their own solutions.

Q: What approach did the individual try in therapy?

The individual tried acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), but it did not click with them and they did not see any positive effects.

Q: Why does the individual feel lost in choosing the next steps?

The individual is confused because therapists have not provided clear answers regarding the purpose of therapy or the best approach to address their suffering.

Q: What alternative options did the therapists suggest?

The therapists mentioned switching to a more physical therapy, trying EMDR, continuing with talk-focused ACT, or exploring alternative medicine options for instinctive body focus.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The individual has been in therapy for six to seven years but feels like therapists have not been helpful in providing advice or direction.

• They decided to take charge of their therapy by presenting a list of their struggles to their therapist, but still did not receive any clear answers or guidance.

• Frustrated with the lack of progress, they are seeking suggestions on which direction to take for their mental health.