[Idiot17]

Or rather we ask what is the patients goal by seeing a therapist? What purpose does it serve, to see a therapist? How does therapy alleviate pain and suffering? Why/how does it 'work'?

[nicoleflynn]

Therapists are trained to look beneath the surface and help us bring out things we may not be aware of that prevent us from being emotionally healthy.

Therapy can give us tools to make good choices in our lives. It "works" when the client works with the therapist and realizes that some of the things they think or are doing aren't working and want to change them.

[littlemiss44]

They bring about change. A good one really cares about yt? Mental health. They look at our patterns and offer advice on how best to tackle those common issues. I do a tracking sheet when I come into each session. For example she noticed that my loneliness scale had been high the last couple weeks sui we discussed it. They offer compassion when we feel lost in society. They are there to retrain our brains to think more with logic instead of just letting our emotions run our lives...at least mine does. I asked her last session how she continuously deals with clients who have depression and she said that she takes each client's issues individually instead of as a whole. She approaches each one with diff knowing how each client will react diff to each skill set she presents. Ib liked that. It made me feel that I do stand out to her and we're not " cookie cut" the same way. What works for one may not work for another. I hope that helps.

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I have a cognitive behavioral therapist that I've been meeting with once a week for almost a year. I don't feel it's helping my depression at all, but I keep on doing it because it at least gives me a chance to talk about my depression, activities, thoughts and feelings. He wants me to challenge my irrational thoughts, but I have great trouble doing that. I think he's probably frustrated with me as a long-standing patient who's not improving whatsoever. If I were him, I'd terminate the therapeutic relationship since I'm not even really trying to identify, muchless challenge, my negative thoughts. They're just too powerful and the exercise too difficult for me right now.

[littlemiss44]

Ya I'm doing dbt therapy and it seems to help in the short term but then it goes out of my head. Cbt is good too butt I agree with you. The depression is so powerful it's hard to see a way out. I think professionals are really trying to help but none of them know how strong the feelings are. I'm so sorry yr struggling right now. It's so hard. I believe my depression is treatment resistant. No one has brought up est and I hope they never do cause I'd NEVER do it. I just have to accept my life the way it is. I won't consider sui because I want to be here even tho it's bad. I have hope that it can get better...no matter how long i have to wait.

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[unaluna]

Originally Posted by Idiot17

how does it 'work'?

One of the great ts of the 20th century, Kohut, actually wrote a book with that title, so i'd say you are asking quite a non-trivial question!

[Idiot17]

Thanks for your replies, yet i don't understand how: going to a t can bring a measure of satisfaction (happiness???) Into your life. How does it affect your depression/outlook?

I've asked several proffessionals this question and none gave me a response. Yea guys, have faith in them, they know how to do their magic.