| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| lidge |
Posted - 10/23/2007 : 18:21:51
I was wondering if those in therapy needed to find a therapist who believed in the TMS diagnosis specifically. In other words, is it enough that they understand somatization, or must they be on board with Sarno's views in order for the therapy to complement, not go against recovery from physical symptoms?
I actually brought the TMS hypothesis months ago to a therapist who rejected it as a means of "control". I wonder if those who had success with psychotherapy in conjunction with TMS therapy had therapists who were at least open to Sarno's ideas.
Since that visit I have pursued this as a group of purely physical problems. In fact it was the therapist who led me to the pain management doctor which led me "nowhere" in terms of relief.
I would like to take another stab at therapy, but don't want a repeat of what happened before. Thanks to anyone willing to respond. |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| lidge |
Posted - 10/25/2007 : 12:42:30
Thanks for the input
Yes Armchairlinguist I agree- I believe the reason I never got very far with therapy was this cognitive behaviorial bent. It
may be helpful for the great majority of people, but maybe not for those of us that need to really "delve" shall we say? I actually had one tell me - "oh you know Freud's theories have pretty much been disproven!"
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| carbar |
Posted - 10/25/2007 : 09:15:01
I really agree with Armchair about finding a therapist who is inner child or psychoanalytic focused. My analytic therapist is no expert in TMS, but knows about it and accepts the principles. But, I'd say that even at the beginning, my actual therapy sessions are focused more on uncovering emotions rather than related to pain.
In response to Peri: It does take time, that's for sure. It took years of living for our bodies to come up with TMS as a coping strategies for emotional distress, so it takes some time to undo it. It could be a sign of TMS personality that you want immediate, perfect results. |
| pericakralj |
Posted - 10/24/2007 : 10:36:53
I am in therapy for 4 moths now.I told my therapist about sarno and his ideas and he responded very good to them.He tell me everything like in Sarnos books.So i am very happy.But i have one problem and i asked him yesterday about it.I dont like that my TMS is like a rolercoster.I am much better since started with TMS program but,i get some relapses now and then,and when i am in one of these relapses i am very dissapointed.I am coserned why it isnt over,since i am using this program for 5 months now.
He sad it dosent mater how much time i will need,it takes what it takes.
What do you all think about it?
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| armchairlinguist |
Posted - 10/23/2007 : 21:40:04
Another approach you can look for in qualifications is John Bradshaw or inner child work, rather than Freudian. That's how I found my therapist. I found out about Bradshaw's work from the Center for Creative Growth (http://www.creativegrowth.com/) and this forum, and then I wrote to the center asking if they knew any Bradshaw therapists where I am (nearby in CA but not close enough to easily go to their center).
The main thing is not to get someone whose primary focus is CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy). Unfortunately this does seem to be the most common these days.
--
It's not 100% belief that's required, but 100% commitment. |
| la_kevin |
Posted - 10/23/2007 : 20:12:55
Lidge,
I have a therapist that does phone consults. He's one of the greatest therapists I have ever known. He specializes in "harder case" TMS people. If you have exhausted all the "physical" reasons and been diagnosed with TMS or would like to give it a try, you can ask me about him and I'll you his contact info. He said I can give it out privately.
You don't need to meet him. He's one of the nicest most understanding people I have ever met.He had TMS also which led him into the specific field after he healed himself. He has over two decades of psyche experience so he's no newbie. |
| lidge |
Posted - 10/23/2007 : 19:09:27
Thanks for the replies- it is tough to find the right person (especially when you can barely leave the house) and even harder still to find someone with the Freudian bent that Sarno follows. Even Sarno notes how Freud has gone out of fashion - Seems like no one here has a therapist that is really on board with this.
Thanks for the link Vicki- phone therapy would be ideal for me - I'm sure there must be at least one visit needed to establish a relationship though.
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| skizzik |
Posted - 10/23/2007 : 18:50:32
I brought up the TMS concept to mine. Nice lady. She was impressed by it. I gave her some lit from the internet to check out.
I then went 4-5 times, and realized that she did'nt quite get it. She was a great listener, and I could vent out my past, but, she did'nt link up the accumulation of rage.
I went to a therapist b4 that, 2-3 visits, and he just kept telling me to get certain books. ugh.
W/ wife thats back to work full time now, a 35min commute not including picking up and dropping off kids, and then chauferring 3 said kids around, theres no time. I had to keep cancelling appts.
I've continued to journal hard, and I am glad I was able to voice my upbringing to the nice lady, cause she confirmed some things, but even w/ 30yrs experience she was'nt fruedian enough, or at all for me.
I would love if there was a TMS therapist close by, I suppose it w/b worth the hassle of getting there. |
| armchairlinguist |
Posted - 10/23/2007 : 18:37:21
My therapist doesn't really know anything about it. I mentioned it to her in passing, but at the time I started therapy I was pain-free but depressed, so TMS specifically wasn't something I needed to address. Certainly it would be important if you were still in active recovery to have someone who is open to the theory. Many therapists will give it a chance if you mention it to them, even if they haven't heard it before, but not all.
--
It's not 100% belief that's required, but 100% commitment. |
| vikki |
Posted - 10/23/2007 : 18:29:23
It would be important to me to have a therapist who believes in the diagnosis, as I'd want to be able to discuss that aspect of my life with them. Here is a list of therapists and doctors -- the one I saw offers phone therapy, and the others might too:
http://www.tarpityoga.com/directory.html
(I will add, though, that I personally did not find therapy to be helpful. In my case, it was just one more way to focus on the pain and how to get rid of it. What I needed was to stop thinking about the pain and get on with my life. But that's just my experience -- many other people have had success with therapy.) |
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