Quote:
Originally Posted by SparkySmart
I think you'll have a lot to offer your future clients. You seem very insightful.
That being said, I saw a therapist last year (no longer see one). She was (still is) a very nice person, but in response to everything I said, she responded, "me, too."
"I was just discharged from the hospital."
"Me, too."
"Here's a list of meds I'm taking."
"Yeah, I'm on these, too."
"I'm experiencing some bulllying at work and don't know how to deal with it."
"Me, too."
"Oh. Okay. Hey, are you bipolar, too?"
"I think I might be, because I bought a lot of ribbons on eBay."
It didn't take long for me to suspect that she was as fragile as I was, and, in addition, that she didn't really understand the terrible and costly consequences of bipolar behavior. She didn't spend a lot of time disclosing, but what she did disclose was concerning. I left therapy.
By the way, I applaud your passion to help others and even to ask the questions you pose. I'm glad that your decade of depression is over and that you're looking to make good use of your knowledge and experience.
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Oh my, your comment has definitely put a smile on my face and got me really happy. I don't mind constructive criticisms but getting a supportive and encouraging feedback is priceless. Please, never stop doing that, because sometimes just one word may change the course of someone's life, even if you don't know the person.
Nevertheless, I'm quite shocked with your former therapist, mocking bipolar disorder, what?! Even unintentionally, this is really outrageous; I can't even imagine your frustration back then. I also had some therapists in the past that were nice but didn't know how to express themselves appropriately sometimes, and that definitely affected me in a negative way. I believe that words have power, and we should be careful about what we say to each other.
I wish you all the very best, don't give up on finding a professional that you can fully trust. Even though nobody is perfect, a therapist should be in complete synchrony with the patient, which means a good experience with mutual respect and work ethic. And if there are jokes, it should be appropriate and funny indeed
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Once in a while, I go back to my home country and set a random appointment with my good old psychiatrist that helped me years ago. No medications anymore, just conversations and advice. Every minute of this short session is worthy of traveling 4.000 miles to see him. That is the type of professional that I'd love to see more often out there, the ones we sense their passion, sincerity, and integrity right away.
Thank you so much!!!
