[emptyspace]

.
When I goto therapy, it just seems like a conversation between two people. I don't trust much, but we talk. I do have feelings.
I guess after 9+ months, we are still building a relationship, but during this is T doing anything? tricks? technique?

I keep going, so something is happening, but it doesn't feel like anything.

Does anyone know what I mean?

[HazelGirl]

Sometimes their tricks are subtle and difficult to notice. And sometimes, they spend a lot of time getting to know you before they do anything drastic.

When I started therapy, I was a mess, so the interventions were big and drastic and obvious. But since things have quieted down, her techniques include listening and mirroring, giving me a space to truly be myself for the first time ever, accepting me regardless of what I do, and being present and allowing me to relate to her in a way I haven't gotten the opportunity to do with anyone else. All that along with practical techniques, like relaxation exercises, trauma processing, emotional regulation exercises, etc...

[Elektra_]

hi. did u establish any goals? what are u there for? u can and should ask ur T what kind of therapy and techniques is using. if u feel like is just talking and u dont get anything from it u should definitely consider changing. tc

[unaluna]

Originally Posted by emptyspace

.
When I goto therapy, it just seems like a conversation between two people. I don't trust much, but we talk. I do have feelings.
I guess after 9+ months, we are still building a relationship, but during this is T doing anything? tricks? technique?

I keep going, so something is happening, but it doesn't feel like anything.

Does anyone know what I mean?

Yeah, they are doing unconditional positive regard. It feels like "nothing" cuz we are used to getting yelled at all the frickin time and fighting for control. My t gives me a safe space to be myself so i can see that any arguments are now with myself - aka the evil introject, your masters voice in your head. Thats how it is for me, anyway.

[brillskep]

I understand how therapy can feel like a natural conversation. I've felt that way with my therapist too, many times, but really, there's a lot more going on in the therapist than you might imagine. The decisions as to what to say and do or what not to say and do are there. There is judgment and, in many styles of therapy nowadays, the therapist has to be aware of his own insights, feelings, and somatic experiences, as well as the content of what you're saying, as well as non-verbal cues, and there is normally some theory behind what the therapist does even if s/he is doing it naturally.

An interesting experience I had was when my therapist did a session in the park with me because there was a lot of noise in the building. People were passing by,. not paying attention, but being aware that if someone stopped they could hear us, I realized that my therapist's rephrasing wasn't as natural and day-to-day as it usually felt to me. It was, actually, a very different, thought out type of conversation, with clear therapeutic intent. I actually already had my B.A. in psychology when this happened, and it still felt like natural conversation to me up until that moment when I wondered what others might be hearing if they stopped to listen (no one did btw). In fact, I still feel like the conversations are natural, even if I know exactly what he's doing. So ... what I'm trying to say is, I understand what you mean.

[Puglife]

I sometimes feel this way, especially since I'm paying out of pocket for therapy. I don't go on a regular basis and right now usually ends up being every 5-6 weeks. But even though it is mostly a conversation, I tell him things I don't tell anyone else and he is able to think about things with a different perspective. It is nice to have someone neutral and a bit removed from my life to talk to.

[nonamecomestomind]

YES, this. With my first T, PsyD, went to her for 3 years I could tell there was so much more to it than conversation. She knew when I needed to say more and could "read" me to ask more, let there be silence, help me to get it out. Fast forward to new T. I like her very much, same age as me, children near the same age, sense of humor like mine, etc. But I am about to quit because it seems like I am paying to have conversation with her. We laugh, I think she likes me fine, I do tell her junk I don't tell other people. Still.... something doesn't feel therapeutic.

[melania]

They simply are here for us... people in who we trust who listen to us

[stopdog]

No. They are more like Dumbo's feather.

[Sometimes psychotic]

A lot of this depends on the type of therapist you're seeing...if you're seeing someone for cbt you'll know they are doing something because they tell you they are doing it and you'll usually get homework. Its a very technique centered approach----if that's what you would prefer you might want a different kind of therapy.

My ex said all she had to do was be there.

I've always found it pretty clear exactly what my T is doing, what he's hoping to work me toward, the skills he works with me on. I think it would be frustrating if those things weren't evident.

My t always says when I thank her "all I do is show up, you do all the work.". I don't believe that at all... That 'all' she does is show up. I know one of the big things she does is asks me questions that make me think between sessions, questions I haven't figured out how to ask myself yet, I guess....

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[freefallin]

I've stopped going to therapists because I refuse to pay someone to have a conversation with me. I understand it might be helpful for others, but for me, it was a giant waste of time to have the same conversation with a counselor or psychologist that I already had with friends.