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Old Feb 18, 2014, 11:25 AM
Yearning0723 Yearning0723 is offline
Poohbah
 
Member Since: Jan 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,127
Quote:
Originally Posted by PeeJay View Post
YES! I get this!

Is talking about myself for an entire hour attention-seeking?
I think the difference is that the so-called attention seeking clients are not the ones asking this question.

If you're trying to be respectful of your therapist's boundaries and all that stuff, I think you're ok.

I mean, if it weren't for people wanting to focus on themselves for an hour, therapists would be out of business.

We can argue that therapy:
1) helps one live one's best life

2) helps one to be a better spouse, parent, friend, boss, teacher, or human being,

3) allows one to outsource a function (trusted listener) that used to be filled by parents, communities and churches

In other words, lots of cultures the world over have trusted others to talk to. I grew up blue collar working class and the trusted listeners that the adults talked to were the hairdresser and aunts and uncles!

I also think of Wayan Nuriasih, from Eat Pray Love, who was a traditional Balinese medicine woman. People go to her, talk about their problems, and receive some herbs.

Chinese culture has similar things.

Therapy is just our version. Dang expensive, too. And we assign labels and education to the therapist, so they can feel more legit in our western society.

But you and I are not alone in needing and wanting someone to listen.
Well, let me ask you, is going to a doctor and telling him/her about chronic back pain and explaining your medical history and what's been going on for you this week, that your back hurt when you were bending down for this and when you were lying down at night, but it didn't hurt when you were sitting in your ergonomic chair, attention seeking? Or are you trying to get help for a very real problem that is the doctor's job to help you with?

Ts are exactly the same as doctors in this case. You have an issue. They have the expertise to help you work through the issue. You pay them for it. Both parties are happy.
Thanks for this!
PeeJay