[freudgirl]

I have in therapy for many years with a few different therapists. I have a hard time talking about myself, so I don't seem to benefit from therapy. I am thinking of just quitting, and accepting that therapy is not for me.

What do you guys think?

[pachyderm]

I think we need more details, if you are comfortable giving them, of what kinds of therapy you have had.

[Christina86]

I agree with what pachyderm said...

Although it's ultimately your decision. I know many people benefit from time away from therapy, and then eventually come back to it when they need it again. Building a therapeutic relationship with trust is very hard though and can take a long time (which may be why you have trouble talking about yourself? Maybe you don't trust your therapist or the therapy process? I know I have the same issues myself).

[Elysium]

What therapy modalities have you been working with. There are many and sometimes if a certain type of therapy doesn't work well for you, you can find a different one that would work better.

I know that when I get to a point where it's difficult for me to discuss a certain point or topic, it helps me to use a different medium for expression. I have made collages, colored pictures, written poems, journaled, and even written songs.

Maybe you just need to find the right method for you? I would suggest journaling your thoughts and feelings. Get them out through writing and take your journal with you to T. You can read it to him/her to share and that can help lead to deeper communications.

[freudgirl]

I have always been in psychodynamic psychotherapies.

I have worn out a battalion of therapists. Some have told me I have a personality that is not conducive to therapy. Nonetheless, recent research finds that therapy does more to return the brain to its original condition than medication alone.

For me, no matter how frustrated I became in therapy (or frustrated my therapist), I learned something that I could use. For therapy to achieve a good result requires a joint venture. You must be open, honest and forthcoming if you are to receive the benefit of your therapist's best work.

My thought is for you to talk to your therapist about your concerns. I many times have asked my therapist if he/she thinks she can help me. Some have suggested I try someone else.

Good luck.

[wonderingmary]

Originally Posted by freudgirl

I have always been in psychodynamic psychotherapies.

Therapy is to a great extent a trial-and-error thing. Maybe it is not for you, or at least not at this time. Maybe you can figure out things that help you better than therapy. Maybe you can find some help just by participating in the Psych Central forums in ways that are helpful to you. Maybe a different type of therapy would be better for you than psychodynamic. If you can find someone who does Client Directed Therapy, that might be a way for you and the therapist to work out something tailored to you needs, rather than trying to use an "off the shelf" therapy. But please don't think you need to feel ashamed or that you are inferior because therapy hasn't work for you (although I can certainly understand feeling disappointed, frustrated, or discouraged). People vary tremendously, and the therapy profession hasn't yet figured out how to help everyone.

[jooker]

Originally Posted by TheByzantine

My thought is for you to talk to your therapist about your concerns. I many times have asked my therapist if he/she thinks she can help me. Some have suggested I try someone else.
Good luck.

This is great advice from Byzantine.

In my own experience, often times when I've wanted to end therapy it's because the therapy was getting too close to my stuff. You may be about to have a breakthrough and make some real progress.

Talking to your therapist can help you identify if this is what's going on in your case or if you really do need to take a break for awhile. Ultimatley, it's your decision though.

Good Luck!

[Bill3]

I have always been in psychodynamic psychotherapies.

Have you considered, or would you consider, other types of therapy?