[Wonderfalls]

My pdoc/therapist of 15 years has just retired and I have a brand new therapist whom I’ve seen twice. I’m afraid things are already not going well. He’s a gentle and seemingly laid-back kind of guy, but he seems lost as to what to do with me. I’m seeing him mostly because I’m bipolar and have been through all kinds of rough times though not for some while. He wants to therapize and I don’t have any immediate mental problems. I saw my old therapist one last time and he thinks new guy is trying to impress me.

The deal is the more tentative the guy is the more I tend to take charge; I can’t help it. I become ultra articulate and smooth and control the session. I’m thinking it would help if I bring up the reasons I’m there (to be monitored and to help dissipate regular life stress), but the reasons seem vague. Mostly I’m afraid if I introduce the topic it will be a case of my taking charge again and make things worse.


I don’t want to start over. How can I fix this? He’s not going to be much help the way he is.

[Argonautomobile]

What's wrong with taking charge? Why would that make things worse? I think it's a great idea to clarify why you're there. Otherwise, how would he know? And if he doesn't know why you're there, how can he provide what you want?

Just a thought. I hope it works out.

[toomanycats]

Could you do some initial appointments with some other therapists and see if you can find a better fit?

[Wonderfalls]

Originally Posted by Argonautomobile

What's wrong with taking charge? Why would that make things worse? I think it's a great idea to clarify why you're there. Otherwise, how would he know? And if he doesn't know why you're there, how can he provide what you want?

Just a thought. I hope it works out.

I expect to be in the lead as far as what subject matter we discuss. I don't expect to be my own therapist. Thank you for your kind words though.