| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Michele |
Posted - 01/13/2005 : 14:05:13
I've been going to therapy alone and with my husband now since last summer. Most of the time, I go alone. Some of you are aware that I am a victim of childhood sexual molestation, and I believe I'm carrying around alot of rage which has now come out in a physical way. I discovered Dr. Sarno in August and it has made all the difference in the world. I've been making slow, but steady progress. The therapist is aware of a mind-body connection, but doesn't know about Sarno. She is a certified sex therapist, and all along I have felt that my problem isn't about sex. Yep, I'm laying it all out here!  (How embarrassing.)
Today I met with a compounding pharmacist to get my hormone levels checked. When she sent me the questionnaire, she also sent me a pamphlet for "Integrated Counseling Asso. - Mind-Body Counseling for the Whole Person" of which she is a counselor. After our meeting on the hormones, I asked about her practice, and asked if she knew of Dr. Sarno's work. She smiled and said she is very aware of his work and believes in it.  She spent about 5 minutes talking about repressed emotions and tension in the body. I wanted to jump up and down and scream I was so happy!!! (And because of Sarno, I CAN jump up and down!  )
So although my current therapist is great, I feel like she's given me the road map, but hasn't taught me how to drive, and that has been frustrating. She wants me to start a 13-week all female course on co-dependency, and I really don't want to do it.
I have decided to make an appointment with the mind-body counselor and work on that issue. Because of my goodist personality, I don't want to hurt the other therapist's feelings, especially since she was the one who recommended the mind-body counselor!! I do believe they can both help me with different issues in my life.
Just wanted to share with everyone! |
| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| deer |
Posted - 01/16/2005 : 20:50:02
Hilary, I don't think that I explained enough about my situation.About two months ago I was searching very hard to find a therapist that would help me discover unconcious feelings .I found it very hard to just pick a name out of a hat box.So I decided to try it out with two therapist and pick from them.Turns out that I liked them both.Each one has their own way of exploring me .One explores more of my current behaviour and makes a connection between it and my unconcious feelings,while the other examines more of my history and past experiences. The fist therapist sees me three times a week and the latter sees me only once a week.I don't see why it should be a problem to add another aspect to my exploration. The only thing that I am worried about is that I will get mixed up with what I said .That doesn't seem to be a problem due to the fact that I am not seeing the second therapist frequently. In addition,I write down a summary of each sesion so I am able to keep track of what I have already adressed with that particular therapist.It has only been a few weeks ,so I have yet to make a final decision. |
| Hilary |
Posted - 01/16/2005 : 15:50:26
What kind of therapy are you having? Having had quite a bit of psychotherapy, I have to say that I can't quite picture how having two therapists would work. I'm not saying it can't, but so much learning takes place in the development of intimacy in the therapist/patient relationship. It's hard to picture another therapist in the mix - unless the 2nd therapist was going to see you for a short period of time for CBT or something, and the therapy didn't involve a gradual development of the client/therapist relationship. (This isn't true of group. Seeing a therapist and attending group at the same time is very common).
My opinion aside, the question that comes to my mind is: have you talked to both your therapists know about this situation? It's absolutely critical that you raise this in session and discuss it with your therapist(s). Seeing two therapists without the knowledge and understanding of everyone involved would be pretty pointless, in my opinion, because you'd be avoiding the central issue, which is: why do you want to see someone else? What do you feel you're not getting from your current shrink? If you're looking elsewhere, there must be things that you feel he or she isn't giving you and this could be a very fertile area for discussion of topics around trust, intimacy, relationships, abandonment and anger.
Bear in mind that even if this seems like a difficult conversation to have, there's ground for a lot of learning here - about you AND the therapist. A good therapist will be able to have this conversation and make you feel supported and secure. They're used to dealing with this sort of thing!
If you'd discussed it with both therapists, I'd be really curious to know what they said. I may be wrong, but I really can't imagine a psychotherapist being comfortable with a client seeing another psychotherapist simultaneously: I'm sure there are some ethical issues involved here.
quote:
Originally posted by deer
Michele , I am having a similar dilema . I tryed out two different therapist and I liked them both. They each have different ways of exploring me.One lets me talk a lot about my history and feelings while the other examines every little thing that I am presently doing (and saying) and then ties it in with my past and present feelings. He says that all little details point to the same thing .His approach is much more intense . Although it isn't that comfortable for me to be scrutinized on every single thing I say to him nevertheless,I think that it's great. However,I am not sure if it such a good idea for me to be working with two therapists at once.I am afraid that my thoughts might just get a bit confused.However,This doen't seem to be a problem with me so far.If anybody has also had any experience with working with two therapists at one time please leave some input.Thanks
|
| Michele |
Posted - 01/14/2005 : 07:53:48
I've decided to go ahead with the group, or at least go to the first meeting and see what it's all about. Besides co-dependency, they will talk about love addiction. That is definitely NOT me! I also plan to see the other counselor a few times. (My budget can only take so much!)
Marc, I wasn't aware of the meaning of co-dependency until just a few weeks ago. I thought it only applied to alcoholics and drug addicts. It encompasses alot more than we think. And you're right, I had no escape. Because my abuse started so young, my boundaries were shattered and I've had to learn to re-build them. It is a slow and painful process.
I also have a very controlling father, so I learned to just do things to please others, even when I didn't want to do it. A source of rage? You bet, and it finally spilled over and I thank God I found Dr. Sarno's book when I did.
|
| pault |
Posted - 01/14/2005 : 07:00:15
Good for You Michelle,sounds like you are doing the correct thing.I don't think the Therapist will care,nor should She.You have to do what You think is best.Keep up the good work. Paul. |
| deer |
Posted - 01/13/2005 : 22:13:44
Michele , I am having a similar dilema . I tryed out two different therapist and I liked them both. They each have different ways of exploring me.One lets me talk a lot about my history and feelings while the other examines every little thing that I am presently doing (and saying) and then ties it in with my past and present feelings. He says that all little details point to the same thing .His approach is much more intense . Although it isn't that comfortable for me to be scrutinized on every single thing I say to him nevertheless,I think that it's great. However,I am not sure if it such a good idea for me to be working with two therapists at once.I am afraid that my thoughts might just get a bit confused.However,This doen't seem to be a problem with me so far.If anybody has also had any experience with working with two therapists at one time please leave some input.Thanks |
| Baseball65 |
Posted - 01/13/2005 : 17:56:34
Hi Michele.
Wow...se..there are a couple of sane people in the medical field!
I recently read about co-dependence....I've always heard that word,but never really knew what it meant...it was so battered along with "dysfunctional" in the eighties and nineties,that I just nod and smirk if someone used it in their dialogue.
However,now that I took a minute to read about what it means,I could see how it might be an effective tool,not so much to "be strong" and "be independent" and "tought love" and all that 12 step stuff,but in Investigating CoNdItIoNinG!!
Particularly in situations where the victim of abuse had no escape....a lot of emotional and chemical responses are conditioned in to the person at a much deeper level..I wouldn't drop out of that seminar deal if I were you ..or at least try it a couple of times,
peace
you rule
Marc.
Baseball65 |
|
|
