[njal]

So I've been seeing my Pdoc (who also does my "psychotherapy") for about 12 visits (8 weeks). I previously had a few comments made by him that I didn't really appreciate but I thought they were an aberration so I let it go. On my last visit I said to him "I'm really proud of the improvement I've made since I started counseling" to which he quickly admonished "I'm not a councilor, this is psychotherapy, is that what you think I do?".

"I'm here to be a mirror for your psyche; I don't give advice, make suggestions or give you instructions. You need to make your changes internally; I just help you see yourself."

So great, I understand some of that. I get that I need to have a better understanding of what happened in my life to get me this messed up. I understand that addressing those issues may grant me some relief in the long run. But I really don't understand the position of not giving advice.

It does explain why I end up getting annoyed that he's not helping with problems I bring up in the here and now though. For instance, in this session I really wanted to work on my irritability with my children (who don't deserve it). I explained that I don't really understand why I get so upset so easy but I needed to figure out a way to cope with this in a healthy manner. Advice is what I need at times; I simply don't know HOW to change my thinking on my own. Instead I get well why do you think you’re irritable... Do you remember someone in your life that was this way, perhaps your mother? Of course she was, he knows this already, but knowing it doesn't make it easier for me to not be this way.

I guess it’s clear to me now that I'm simply not a good fit for this Pdoc, its challenging since there aren't many options on my health plan but I guess its time to change things up. I think what I really need is someone who does CBT.

End rant.

[healed84]

Sorry to hear how frustrated you are with your Pdoc.. I think you are right though, it sounds like you need a better match. Maybe keep this one on as the Pdoc (if you are doing meds) and then find a thearpist who does cbt, or more talk thearpy. Maybe that is the difference between pdocs doing thearpy and psychologists. I know that when I bring stuff like you mentioned my T will give me advice as well, and act as a "mirror" like your Pdoc described. I hope you get it all figured out.

[CantExplain]

Originally Posted by njal

On my last visit I said to him "I'm really proud of the improvement I've made since I started counseling" to which he quickly admonished "I'm not a councilor, this is psychotherapy, is that what you think I do?".

I would be really upset if T admonished me just as I was telling her how proud I was.

[pbutton]

It does sound like you'd benefit from CBT. I love CBT myself. Good luck to you.

[Sannah]

I wouldn't limit yourself to just CBT. I think that you just need someone more "hands on"/helpful.