| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Sus |
Posted - 03/29/2008 : 12:17:53
I had done my back homework diligently for months, and the pain didn't go away. So I hired a psychologist who was in-network and willing to learn about Dr. Sarno's methods and work with me. (No one in-network near me had actual experience with this.) Unfortunately, she just didn't get it. She tried to fix problems from my past/present. That's not what I was looking for. She said I could change my personality. She said I was too negative. Well, HELLO, I was there to go over things that might have given me rage. I was there to get the negative stuff out in the open. I could have focused on the good in my life, but that was not why I was there. I wanted insight into why I had this rage and what it could be so my brain didn't need the back pain as a distraction. So I'm back to doing my homework alone and suffering pain (which has spread, by the way). How did you go about finding a psychotherapist to help you? Is there a list of experienced therapists somewhere? Is there a type of therapist I should be requesting? (I believe I read that a cognitive approach doesn't work. I don't even know what that is.) Any suggestions?
|
| 17 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| truenorth |
Posted - 04/06/2008 : 18:14:37
Radio Shack makes several devices, all relatively inexpensive, to record phone conversations. I have model Cat. No. 42-228a, which worked with my VOIP phone service. I hooked it up to a high-end Sony pocket size digital voice recorder and monitored it with head phones at the beginning of the session. The Radio Shack device records only one channel which can be a little weird if you list to it with headphones, as the sound comes out of one side only (left or right). I solved that by bringing it into the Sony Digital Editor software and converting it to a mono format. Sounds complicated but it's quite easy.
I recorded all ten sessions with Don. I found listening to them later to be invaluable. |
| truenorth |
Posted - 04/06/2008 : 11:58:57
Westcoastram,
It would be hard to answer you question in a post. I have notes and recordings from the sessions and will try and post some of the key things I learned from Don sometime next week.
TN |
| westcoastram |
Posted - 04/06/2008 : 00:45:42
TrueNorth,
Do you think you could elaborate more on what Don was able to offer you that the other therapists weren't?
Thanks,
WCR
|
| sborthwick |
Posted - 04/02/2008 : 13:27:31
That is EXACTLY me. The delving into my childhood is making me alot worse - far more fear and a feeling of hopelessness. I have a session with my therapist on Friday. I think I will make it my last for a while. I have been listening today to Claire Weekes who is great.
I really believe that the "fixer" in me is making the anxiety continue. I have become obssessed with fixing my "worrying habit". I need to accept, let go and just get on with my life. |
| truenorth |
Posted - 04/02/2008 : 13:19:39
I did discuss my childhood (what I can remember) with the Sarno therapist. It just made my symptoms worse.
I'd like to think I've moved far beyond that. What I doing right now is resuming all activities, always reminding myself that I have a psychogenic condition and just living, doing what I want to do. I've taken TMS off the throne and kicked it out the door.
I had an amazing insight as I was riding my bicycle up Sixth Ave. in NYC in February. A voice in my head screamed "STOP"! Stop the searching for a new angle on this, stop making it so important. Just stop. Accept it and move on with your life. Don Dubin always told me it was the "fixer" in me that was keeping the pain going. |
| sborthwick |
Posted - 04/02/2008 : 11:59:16
Thank you True North - what are you doing now?
Did you discuss your childhood alot with Sarno's therapist? That seems all they do |
| truenorth |
Posted - 04/02/2008 : 10:39:40
sbortwick,
I think you misread my posts. I did not get "remarkably better" with Don. I think that is going to take a long time, and a lot of hard work. I am making progress. Don and I did not discuss much about my childhood and little about my current life, He did help me overall with my outlook and expectations. I recorded all the sessions and went back and made notes. I have one gem after another. His outlook is a combination of Eckhardt Tolle, Claire Weeks and Pema Chandron.
He was heads and shoulders over the Sarno therapist. Try and few sessions and see if you like him.
|
| sborthwick |
Posted - 04/02/2008 : 10:27:25
Truenorth,
I just spoke to Dr. Dubin who informed me he is on a sabbatical for person reasons (don't want to share info here). He said he could do a few sessions with me. I told him that one of his patients got remarkably better on 10 sessions. He said that was very possible.
I asked him if it could take a year for some people and he said yes.
I am going to think about his before I jump from Sarno's psychologist. I did go through alot in my childhood.
Truenorth - it sounds like you didn't have much emotional stuff to discuss? Did you go into your childhood with Sarno's therapist and then do something different with Dubin? Sorry if this question is too personal. |
| sborthwick |
Posted - 04/02/2008 : 10:11:58
thanks very much Truenorth. The second of those numbers has been disconnected. I will try the other one. |
| truenorth |
Posted - 04/02/2008 : 09:21:37
Hi,
The two numbers I have for Don are:
310-271-2657
323-651-4390
He was hard to reach when I first contacted him about therapy.
As far as anxiety goes, I did not discuss this with Don.
Good luck. |
| sborthwick |
Posted - 04/02/2008 : 08:38:38
What is Don Dubin's phone number? I have one that does not seem to work for him? |
| sborthwick |
Posted - 04/02/2008 : 08:29:46
Hi Truenorth,
I am back working with one of Sarno's therapists and have been told that it may take at least a year to get over this. I have also left a message with Don Dubin and hope to reach him.
You gave me so much hope when I heard about your success with Don. I don't have any pain any more but suffer from anxiety. Did you ever experience this?
I am really thinking of calling Don and switching to working with him instead of Sarno's therapist. It is tough to get to her and it feels like it will take forever. |
| truenorth |
Posted - 04/01/2008 : 17:59:02
Hi S,
I sent you an e-mail through this site with my correct address.
I suspect Don Dubin may not have returned your calls due to sickness. The last time we spoke (about six weeks ago) he was not well. I don't want to invade his privacy by posting too many details about it here.
Bill |
| truenorth |
Posted - 04/01/2008 : 14:56:31
Hi Sus,
I've had TMS for six years and in the process of trying to get better, I've seen Dr. Sarno twice, done the program and have spent about $6000 on therapists, including one in the Sarno stable of therapists. Don Dubin from LA, mentioned in a previous post in this thread, was excellent. I did only ten phone sessions with him but made more progess than a year with the Sarno person.
I've recently been making some real progress by resuming ALL activities, including hiking, cycling and doing the Nordic Track 3x/week. I've also learned through Don that I MUST accept my pain, and even love it, in order to get better. This has reduced the pain/fear cycle for me. This is what is working for me but may not be right for you, and others.
I got no relief from reading, journaling or focusing on my emotions. All that did was make things worse. Therapy uncovered no hidden feelings of any importance, as I've always suspected.
I've just stopped making TMS an important part of my life. I'm no longer looking for cures. I'm just getting back to living. |
| pmazzdog |
Posted - 04/01/2008 : 13:46:52
I think it varies for each of us. Some may be classic cases and others may not be all TMS. I do know that I respond very quickly and feel good.....but then when the setbacks hit is when my doubt starts to run again. Do not give up hope. I am doing the course by. Dr. Schubiner and it is the best $250 I have spent. I am on day 3 and have uncovered alot alot of stuff that I never knew existed. It feels as if I lost 100 pounds. I did not balk at the price since I have probably spent over 35k on my back....(20k in the 80's) and at least 15k on massage, books, creams....etc...
I would not worry how others do. That can only distract you from what you need to do. We are all at different stages and situations. I found alot of my anger is due to resentment of others and I feel terrible about it but it has been brewing. I am not saying you feel that way, but do your work and it will pay off.....BELIEF.... |
| Sus |
Posted - 04/01/2008 : 11:26:44
Thank you. Any information helps. It's very frustrating hearing how people banish their pain in a matter of weeks, and I haven't been able to do it in over a year. I clearly need some help, and it's tough to find. I'll check this out. |
| AmyAJJ |
Posted - 03/29/2008 : 13:17:11
Hi Sus.
I haven't used these doctors yet.
http://www.tarpityoga.com/directory.html
I have a call in to Dr. Durbin in Los Angeles because I read on this forum that he does consultations by phone. So then it doesn't matter
where you live.
Hope this helps. |
