[Wawrzyn]

Learning how to love human beings is not something that my therapist has actively been teaching me but after analyzing the emotions I have developed toward my therapist as well as what I've actually gotten out of therapy I can't help but wonder if the real goal of therapy is to help troubled people understand, through example, how to love other human beings.

If that's the real of goal of therapy and the meditation techniques and problem solving exercises are just a facade, does it really mean that all we need is love?

[jilliebeanmn]

I think T's teach us to love ourselves.

[purple_fins]

I don't think that's it for everyone....
I love everyone so much that when they hurt I can't take it and have to run away from them forever. I never want to have anyone be hurt - so I think I'm trying to learn that some peoples pain is not DANGEROUS for their life or for my life. I've always put others before me-- even if it means my mental or physical demise. I think therapy is trying to help me with this... it's very difficult to break a pattern that has been ongoing since I was a toddler...

I guess I'd have to say that it's kinda like what jilliebean said-- I have to learn to love myself-- I never knew I had any value at all.

best to you

fins

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Wawrzyn

Learning how to love human beings is not something that my therapist has actively been teaching me but after analyzing the emotions I have developed toward my therapist as well as what I've actually gotten out of therapy I can't help but wonder if the real goal of therapy is to help troubled people understand, through example, how to love other human beings.

If that's the real of goal of therapy and the meditation techniques and problem solving exercises are just a facade, does it really mean that all we need is love?

therapy is individualized according to what each person in therapy needs. some people go to therapy because they have depression and need to work on that, some people have anxiety problems and their therapy is set up to address those things. Yes some people do have interpersonal relationship problems like not being able to get close to others or dont know how to understand emotions like love so their therapy is set up to address those issues.

suggestion talk with your treatment provider, they can tell you what problems in your life, your therapy program is set up to address and why. you can always let them know if you have something else you would like to work on and you and your treatment providers can work that into your therapy sessions.

[mixedup_emotions]

I believe that therapy has a lot of benefits to it, including learning how to love in a healthy way. Considering most of my life has been dysfunctional when it comes to relationships, I don't know what healthy is...I have an idea, but I have no experience. My relationship with T helps me learn what is healthy for me.

[Brightheart]

I think when therapy is working, you get what you need. For me, I went in for mild depression, anxiety, shyness issues...and though I did get help with those things, that ultimately wasn't what I needed most. I hadn't known going in what I needed most and ended up being surprised by the lessons I took out of it. That can happen too. Trusting in the process can be very beneficial. But everyone's therapy is different too. I hope yours goes well, Wawrzyn.

[chicken_wing]

I feel that my T is teaching me how to love and trust others through loving and forgiving myself.