She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which doesn’t work in my case. I prefer the traditional method of “talk therapy”. She believes that talk therapy is harmful to clients.

Lately I’ve been somewhat dishonest with her because she will rarely allow me the chance to express my feelings…she often interrupts me rudely, and denies my reality. She doesn’t allow me to express hurt or anger. She wants me to tell her that I practice my deep breathing and that I’m perfectly fine.

I view this as a way to silence me and it is pretty effective, because then I shut down emotionally. There’s no point in talking to somebody who doesn’t want to listen and who doesn’t care. So I walk in there with a phony smile, pretending that my life has improved and I’m feeling much better now…when the truth is that I’m still deeply unhappy!

She told me that she doesn’t do talk therapy because she isn’t interested in the personal “stories” of her clients. That blew my mind! If a therapist doesn’t want to listen, then there is simply no hope.

She accuses me of being too intellectual. She can be condescending at times. I noticed this almost immediately.

Quite frankly, I don’t believe that she has helped me on a meaningful level. She has given me some helpful bits of advice but it simply isn’t enough. She is a decent person…but she isn’t the kind of therapist I really want.

Because of my painful experiences, I have a lot of trauma. I require a therapist who is willing to explore these issues rather than blow them off. Most of the time I sit in her office feeling tense and uncomfortable, not knowing what to say in response to her questions.

Anyway, I’m not sure whether to continue therapy with her. I like her as a person but there seems to be a disconnect between us on some level.

*sigh* Thank you, Sonia…this was a good article.