[HayleyVersailles]

I've not had a lot of experience with therapy but have tried. I don't know what to expect from therapy though. Would anyone be willing to describe what they believe therapy should be like? I feel like I have no way of judging if my therapist is any good or not and it's hard to find these kind of answers just through Google

[Nammu]

You go once a week to there office, most traditional is for 45-50 minutes. The first could minutes are check in and where you are at. Then it depends on what type of therapy they practice. I’ve always had electric so we just talk then wind down. In over 40 years there was no contact between the various therapists. Beyond an emergency call or two. I had no attachment to the T. If that’s what your looking for I suspect that posting in the psychotherapy forum will get you all kinds of responds to attachment and how to get and keep contact and get more than once a week attendance.

[Werewoman]

You're therapist should make sure first that you are at ease and comfortable. The office should be comfortable and not pretentious. Persnally, I check to see if they have a DSM-5 visible and it looks used. If it doesn't, go elsewhere.


They should ask questions when appropriate and be a good listener. I prefer that they offer feedback more towards the end of the session so I remember better and all bases have been covered for that session. I have had 5 therapists over 25 years in 3 states.

Always choose a therapist that makes you at ease. If they make you feel bad about yourself, they are not good for you.

[Soupe du jour]

Therapy and individual therapists vary. What therapy should be like for you depends on your individual needs, and needs change over time.

Do you need to learn and practice coping skills? If so, they need to be discussed a lot.

Do you need to have someone who listens because not enough people do in your life? Then you need a listener.

Do you need someone who helps build your confidence or assists you in making certain life aspects easier to handle? Certain therapists can be good with that.

Communication about your needs is crucial and a good therapist can help with that, too.

Out of 15 therapists, sometimes there might only be four or five that make a big difference, unless you're lucky. But even more than that can offer something of value.

[*Beth*]

For me it is important that my therapist remember details, names, relationships, etc. from session to session. I have been seeing my current therapist for about 3 years, but it has bothered me all along that either her memory is poor or she's not focused on listening to me. She constantly forgets information I've shared. As a result, although I do have a warm connection with her, I have never developed a close therapeutic bond. I don't see her too much anymore.

[Victoria'smom]

I need an advocate out of my therapist. I need them to help me access my dr when needed. I just started with a new therapist. We'll meet weekly. It was a lot of general questions. And ask what I was there for. Which right now is support with the dynamics of my household. I also need help with reality checking and monitoring my mood swings. So lots of questions are asked and we talk about how to handle things better. (coping mechanisms) I don't really get into my history with therapists as I find that more harmful then helpful. Honestly hardly anyone knows my history as honestly I'm the bad guy in my history. I'm a much nicer person with less psychosis and mania.

[Fuzzybear]

Good question! I also was wondering about this.

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by HayleyVersailles

I've not had a lot of experience with therapy but have tried. I don't know what to expect from therapy though. Would anyone be willing to describe what they believe therapy should be like? I feel like I have no way of judging if my therapist is any good or not and it's hard to find these kind of answers just through Google

I so much wish I knew. One thing I know, it's not supposed to retraumatize and cause harm.