[emptyspace]

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What do you hope to get from therapy? Are you getting what you need?

I have no idea at this point what I hope to get from therapy.
I thought a better understanding of my life that would translate to changes, but so far no changes.

I didn't know what I really needed. I think having fixed ideas on what we think we need can make it to contrived.
Is a matter of trusting the process and eventually there's a strengh in places that before felt like collapse

When I first started with current t (well she's maybe current, maybe most recent ex-t I haven't decided if I'm calling her again or not lol) I didn't know exactly what I hoped to get out of it. Except I knew that I wasn't happy, and I wanted to be. I went in with an open mind and an open heart, worked my butt off, and gradually identified things in me that needed to change, through talking and lots of inner work the changes happened and today I am proud to say that I am happier than I've ever been in my life. Yeah crap happens still, I get sad sometimes, but... overall.... I am happy and therapy is the best thing I ever did for myself. Hands down.

eta: as mouse said, it is a matter of trusting the process, even when you don't know exactly what that "process" is... my t used to say that to me all the time. "Trust the process." I didn't know how to do that consciously, but somehow without knowing it I started to, and then at one point I found myself saying in awe to t (more than once): "This therapy stuff WORKS!" and she'd laugh and say "I know!"

I agree with Mouse. I didn't really know what I needed going into therapy, and what I've needed has changed over time. I find therapy to be best for me when I allow it to evolve pretty organically and flexibly.

[growlycat]

No, not at the moment. Over time I have but it is easy to lose sight of that.

[WrkNPrgress]

I've made quantifiable changes in my relationship and overall outlook on life. Other things that I had goals to change are more slow-going but there's movement.

I've got a lot of mud to dig out of my gears but they're starting to turn none the less.

[gayleggg]

I've been in therapy on and off for 30 years. I've found out my needs have changed during the years. At first I needed help with family dynamics. Then I needed help with self control issues. Now I need guidance to get through dairy issues.

I feel that I have been very lucky to get my needs met at each stage. I've been very fortunate with my choice of therapist

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[Chummy]

I've been in therapy before, for anxiety.
At the moment I'm in therapy for depression. What I hope to get from therapy? To ge less depressed. To change my thinking. To have a better self-esteem, more confindence.
There hasn't really been any progress in that last 5 months. But at least I've someone to talk to every week. If I wouldn't have that, think I would be even worse.

[divine1966]

My t says that growth and change comes from being aware. I am acutely aware of things I never paid attention to or understood until I started with current t. So yes I am getting what I need

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[msjblonde]

I don't know. I'm really doubting the whole thing at the moment but maybe that's just because there have been a bunch of breaks lately. I'm questioning a lot and really wondering if its' time to see a new T.

[stopdog]

I have found a way to make it useful - but I do know the ways - it is not all hippy dippy whatever. It has not been useful for why I went in the first place with the first one. The second is better for that. The first one is useful for telling stuff to when I just want someone to sit there and not get involved or worked up. I would not use the word "need" and therapy together for my purposes. I did not need it when I started and it is not a need now- it was something to try and while it failed to meet what I wanted from it, I found a way to have it not be a total loss.

[musinglizzy]

Honestly, right now, I feel like therapy provides me a place to talk to someone on a regular basis. If I think of my list of needs and wants, which is very small, I am pretty sure therapy can't provide 99% of those. I really feel bad saying it.... therapy has helped me in some ways, but it's hurt me in many others.

[AllHeart]

Originally Posted by musinglizzy

.... therapy has helped me in some ways, but it's hurt me in many others.

Ditto!!

I hope for relief and change from therapy. Lately I don't feel I have achieved either. I take one tiny step forward and then I take 4-10 steps back. Repeatedly. Don't do the math on that, but, you know what I mean?

[musinglizzy]

Originally Posted by AllHeart

Ditto!!

I hope for relief and change from therapy. Lately I don't feel I have achieved either. I take one tiny step forward and then I take 4-10 steps back. Repeatedly. Don't do the math on that, but, you know what I mean?

AllHeart, I know you know my story as you have been extremely supportive of me, I just wanted to let you know, I ABSOLUTELY know what you mean!! I'm taking steps forward, but end up taking more back. Story of my life my friend!