Comments on: Does Therapy Work? My Answer in Audio & Text

By: Richard Zwolinski

Richard Zwolinski — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 22:53:17 +0000

Dear John,
I am so sorry therapy was such an abysmal failure for you in the past–unfortunately this experience is shared by others. Might I share with you some of my thoughts? OCD is an extremely difficult disorder to diagnose and treat. I strongly believe that finding a psychiatrist that is also a psychopharmacologist who really understands how to do medication intervention can really help. I have seen success with people who had given up hope.
I am not sure this link will be helpful,http://www.ascpp.org/pages.aspx?PanelID=1&PageName=Information_for_Patients
and I understand that you are fed up with your experience, but perhaps you might reconsider. Either way, I wish you success and good health.

By: John

John — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 14:20:00 +0000

My experience is very much like that of Athirson. I was in therapy for well over 12 years. My presenting complaint was OCD, a condition which was ignored by most therapists and sometimes badly misdiagnosed. (One professional actually thought I was schizophrenic, even though I was not hallucinating and not delusional). I derived no benefit from any of it, and lost a lot of money. I also found it very damaging to my self esteem. I too am surprised that anyone benefits. Contrary to what the article implies, I found medication to be even worse than psychotherapy. Now, as a 45 year old, I just try to get through life as best I can. I don’t focus on my own happiness. I know I will never be happy. I think more in terms of what I can contribute. The only good things in my life are contributions.

By: family therapy clinic - StartTags.com

family therapy clinic - StartTags.com — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:08:31 +0000

[...] are … of adequate coverage for family therapy and mental health services, may push doctors and …Does Therapy Work? My Answer in Audio & Text | Therapy SoupNearly one third of patients with depression reported that therapy was pretty much useless. Can you [...]

By: Athirson

Athirson — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:08:10 +0000

I underwent 10 years of therapy for avoidant personality disorder, PTSD and paranoia. In that time, I got absolutely nowhere and eventually gave up on it, seeing it for the monumental waste of money that it was.

So the only surprising thing about this article is the revelation that nearly 60% of the patients found therapy to be at least somewhat helpful.

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:45:08 +0000

My therapist saved my life. Not because therapy lightened my depression; it didn’t. But by helping identify my bipolar disorder and sticking with me through five years of searching for the right meds, including helping me realize when I needed inpatient attention, my therapist kept me on the planet long enough to find the right chemical balance that FINALLY got me to the point where therapy (especially CBT) had an effect.

By: Loretta

Loretta — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:12:43 +0000

I went to counseling for over 6 months, and I didn’t feel any better. I did a lot of crying, but my depression never got better. Lucky for those that counseling does help.

By: Anne

Anne — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:53:19 +0000

Hi
I am a person who has had a major depression since around age 12 and am finally getting therapy as an offshoot of couples counseling. The therapist has been very skilled with couples counseling and we are almost done, but in private counseling with me around the depression, I am disappointed. Cognitive Therapy seems formulaic; writing in the Mind Over Mood workbook at home and then discussing it is not the same as having a significant interaction during the session.

I am grateful to my cohorts in NonViolent Communication (Marshall Rosenberg) who are actually more skilled in respectful compassionate communication than my therapist. Sessions with them go much deeper.

So, how can I change therapists? And find one who knows NVC?
Thank you.
(ps. I have been on medication for two weeks.)
(pps.I could be considered resistant; my depression says After all these years you are leaving me?)

By: Richard Zwolinski

Richard Zwolinski — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 01:33:31 +0000

Hi Sonia,
Thank you for sharing your comments. While I agree that the therapeutic relationship itself is transforming, it is important that a therapist is trained, educated and experienced with the particular problem a patient is facing. Additionally, while I don’t disagree that patients can set up obstacles to their own wellness, I believe it is the therapist’s responsibility to motivate each and every one of his/her patients. That is his job. Sure, patients have personal responsibility for their mental health in many ways. But it is the therapist’s job to help patients develop that sense of responsibility and teach them ways to put in place healing thoughts and behaviors. Otherwise, the relationship is a friendship not a therapeutic relationship and though friendships are important, one does not pay a professional fee for a friendship. Paying a therapist’s fee entitles a patient to a professional, experienced, ethical therapeutic experience that aims to help the patient by relieving his or her suffering, teaching him the skills needed to cope with his struggles, and so on. (Obviously, there is much more to it than can be written in a brief blog comment.)

By: Richard Zwolinski

Richard Zwolinski — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 01:24:37 +0000

TPG: Thank you for taking the time to research those links and send such relevant comments.
The sources are excellent, thank you. I
agree with your conclusion about both drugs and therapy. I’m hoping that this is a good starting point for more discussion for professionals both medical and non-medical (s well as patients/clients).
I believe therapy works, I believe medication works, but I also think that it is important for us all to keep improving. Quite often a well-planned (and sometimes serendipitous) combination of medication and talk therapy seem to benefit the patient the most. Naturally it depends on the patient, the diagnosis, the individual circumstances, etc.

By: Sonia

Sonia — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:54:39 +0000

Sometimes it is the relationship between therapist and client that heals. The warm loving/kindness can be transformational regardless of where it takes place or the credentials of the therapist. The chemistry, the resonance, the bouncing of mirror neurons that reflect rather than repel between two people can count for much more than qualifications ever will.

Therapy will never be an exact science and resistant clients are their own worst enemy.