[Mountaindewed]

And that they don’t like me. I don’t have a history of neglect, trauma, or abuse and my family is so supportive of me I feel like maybe they just think I’m wasting their time. I’m just kind of questioning this whole therapy thing right now.

But does anyone else feel like they are not sick enough or don’t have legit reasons to be meeting with a therapist?

[stopdog]

A client cannot waste a therapist's time. A therapist is paid to just sit there. No matter what you do, the therapist gets paid. You can waste your time and money -but not that of a therapist. Their entire job consists of sitting there and getting handed money.

[Rive.]

What do you mean 'legit reason'? Anyone could benefit from therapy. It's like a mental tune-up as we all struggle with one thing or another.

People take care of their bodies (gym, diet, supplements etc), people go on retreats, people take drawing classes or dancing or yoga, some take continuing education classes... this is no different: mental health tune-up. Nothing wrong with that.

[Lostislost]

I do have a history of trauma and abuse, but I still feel like I waste his time. Mainly because we seem to repeat lots of things all the time. Like I think I have a new thing happen and he replies with something he first said years ago. And I don't even pay him properly. I must be very boring to him. I'm sure he has other exciting clients to balance it out.

I think as long as you are not finding it a waste of time, that's what really matters.

[velcro003]

I also don't have a history of trauma or abuse, and 6 years down the line, still worry sometimes that I am not enough. Every time I bring it up to her, she reassures me that as long as I want to go, I will always have a place with her. She might be regretting that after tonight's session, though.

[*Beth*]

To say that a client cannot "waste" a therapist's time is incorrect. It's been my experience that therapists use/teach specific techniques. If a client refuses to comply with those methods the therapist can terminate. Also, because they use specific methods that they are educated in and comfortable with, the therapy can get repetitive. i.e., therapists only have so many tricks up their sleeves.

[stopdog]

Therapists don't do anything They get paid - that is all they are due for their time (assuming that they are due anything at all for just sitting there). They really are not special human beings. They do appear good at shenanigans.

[daisydid]

I had a therapist once position the therapeutic relationship as that between a client and an independent contractor. You’re hiring the therapist to provide a service to you. Just because someone is in excellent physical health means they can’t hire a personal trainer? We decide how we use our time and resources. Also, most therapists will proactively recommend a reduction in sessions should they believe that their client can maintain at a less frequent rate. I have had several therapists say that their aim is to work themselves out of a job.