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How many therapists have you seen?

Discussion in 'Chit Chat' started by HuskyPup, May 4, 2015.

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How many therapists have you seen?

  1. None.

    33 vote(s)
    30.6%
  2. 1

    13 vote(s)
    12.0%
  3. 2

    20 vote(s)
    18.5%
  4. 3

    14 vote(s)
    13.0%
  5. 4

    7 vote(s)
    6.5%
  6. 5

    4 vote(s)
    3.7%
  7. 6-10

    12 vote(s)
    11.1%
  8. 11-15

    1 vote(s)
    0.9%
  9. 16-20

    2 vote(s)
    1.9%
  10. Over 20

    2 vote(s)
    1.9%
  1. HuskyPup

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    I was trying to recall how many different psychologists and psychiatrists I've seen over the years; the ones that seemed to help, the ones that didn't; psychiatrist I saw once for a referral to a psychologist, because the insurance company required it; the list is long, and it's hard to even remember them all. But all told, I think I've seen at least 6 psychiatrists and maybe 12 psychologists/therapists, some for a few visits, others, for a few years.

    How about everyone else?

    I guess the question is this: Has it 'worked'?

    I'm still alive, so I suppose so, but it's hard to say in many aspects.
     
  2. Andrew99

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  3. Steam Mecha

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    I've seen two, The first guy didn't workout, But the girl I'm seeing now is nothing but amazing!
     
  4. MotelGuy

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    There's nothing wrong with me, so zero...
     
  5. pde

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    I had ~3 different therapists when I was a kid none of which helped because I would never really talk to them about anything. I had a both a therapist and a psychiatrist from age 15-18 which helped a little. I still sometimes see the therapist when I visit home from college. I've sworn off meds because they never work for me.
     
  6. QueerTransEnby

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    I've seen 5 total(I voted 4 by accident). One I saw when I was little, but she was there to get information about my parents because they were having rocky times. The other three have been within the last year. Two have been more clinical in nature, doctor like. The other two were at the LGBT center.

    I also find it offensive that someone could say going to a therapist means there is something "wrong" with you. Many people go for another set of ears and to help handle a problem with another friend or family member. None of us are perfect anyways.
     
  7. Steam Mecha

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    I agree with you 100%
     
  8. Daydreamer1

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    Four, excluding someone who would be the fifth because I saw them only once (part of an evaluation).

    1st: Saw at the advice of my school guidance counselor after having an emotional breakdown. We never clicked, not even after months of seeing her. I blame it on the age gap, and how she never understood my issues a lot.

    2nd: Saw her for what felt like two years, but like with the first, we never clicked. Honestly, I left more depressed after each session than when I went in. This was the first time a therapist or someone made me feel like my issues were my fault. This was also around the time I was hospitalized, so that never made things easy.

    3rd: I saw her after one of my hospital releases, and I think I was with her for a while after my final discharge. I heard of her since I was first coming out, and wanted to see her around said time. I was seeing her along side the 2nd after a nurse who was overseeing me at the hospital booked an appointment for me. We never bumped heads, and she was honestly one of the warmest medical professionals I've ever met; having worked with trans kids before. I haven't seen her in over a year, but that's due to scheduling, money issues (sessions are $40 per) and how her office isn't exactly wheelchair friendly (from what I could see) since I wanted to introduce my partner to her.

    4th: Currently the one I stick with, but haven't seen since the fall for similar reasons. She's sweet and great to work with, and is an associate of the 3rd. I plan on seeing her soon enough when I have the money for sessions ($20-$25 per) to help me work out my anxiety and depression issues.
     
    #8 Daydreamer1, May 4, 2015
    Last edited: May 4, 2015
  9. Kaiser

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    You know... it's been a while since I've put a number to it.

    Mm... well, for more than 6 months, only 4. I've seen quite a lot, for a few sessions, over the years, but I decided against continuing with them or they thought somebody else could do more, and referred me around. If I had to guess, off the top of my head, as to what that number is... it has to be nearing 20. I'd say around 16.

    Of those 4, 3 of them only saw me for 1-2 years. The remaining individual saw me for several years, every other month.

    Did it "work"?

    Yes, but not in the way it should have.


    Blah, blah, blah... session fun... blah, blah, blah...
    I'm a terrible patient for therapists/psychiatrists. There is more time spent on discussing general events like politics or social issues, the therapist/psychiatrist's family and world, or generic life and love musings. I remember discussing the concept of lost loves with one therapist, and learned he had quite a sad (nothing soap opera tragic) little experience in high school. Stuff like that, made for some interesting sessions.

    Chess would usually happen, but we'd never finish a game. Our sessions weren't long enough.

    It's probably the area I'm in, but I tend to be a breath of fresh air for professionals around here. It's always amusing, in the getting-to-know-you stage...

    Therapist: Have you ever been depressed?
    Me: Yes.
    Therapist: And when was the last time you felt depressed?
    Me: Right now.
    Therapist: Oh?
    Me: I'm in therapy, and have to talk about how depressed I am.
    Therapist: You don't have to talk about anything, if you aren't comfortable.
    Me: Really? Because I thought that's what you wanted to hear, LOL!
    Therapist: *moment of WTF do I?, then laughter*

    It's a good way to break the ice, and, admittedly, it also gives you a slight advantage. You control the mood/vibe of the room, and can take the situation/conversation almost anywhere you want -- see, this is why I'm a terrible patient, LOL.

    I'm not opposed to therapy, it does appear to work for many. Personally, it is very difficult for me not to treat it as some sort of test. It really doesn't help that, usually, I already say what they do, and this has been an inside joke between some of us:

    My anger. I channel it into other avenues, like writing/typing, keeping active, cleaning, anything but turning it against me or upon another. Being irritated by nature is a constant source of energy, and if I don't use it for something positive, it'll be negatively used.

    My ego. I channel that into my drive, so that nothing can bring me down, like doubt or lack of confidence, because never trying is always failing. Instead of glorifying myself, I want to bring others up to where I am, so we're all feeling good.

    My lack of a parental bond. I channel that into memory. There is an emotional reference as a reminder, of what not to be, and the possibility I may, one day, provide somebody with support and affection, keeps me going. I don't want others to felt neglected, that shit fucking sucks.

    I'm currently in the process of obtaining a gender therapist. But that's because it's kind of necessary, to even begin the transitioning journey, and I only hope I'll behave. I always go into interrogation charm mode when in an office setting, it's something I'm working on rectifying.


    Therapy can do wonders, if you're willing to make use of it, and you can find the right fit for you. So, if you can have it, go for it.
     
  10. White Knight

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    None so far.
     
  11. Benway

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    In the course of my lifetime, well over fifty. Maybe even over a hundred.
     
  12. Rawrzilla

    Rawrzilla Guest

    None.

    Once when I was a kid mum tried to get me to visit one (me being the weirdo I've always been), and the mere suggestion of having yet another authority figure in my life trying to dictate and manipulate my actions (which is how I saw it at the time) had me seething. I spat something along the lines of "If you take me to a fucking shrink I'm gonna lie about everything and tell them you and dad are horrible people, that you hit me, that you punish me everyday and that whatever is wrong with me is all your fault!"

    I can't remember if there was a fallout for my venomous little outburst. All I know is they never took me to see the therapist, so I guess it worked lol
     
  13. Kaiser

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    There must be something wrong with me, because I'm imagining little RAWRzilla, in a Daredevil costume, saying that, and it's adorable, LOL.
     
  14. Rawrzilla

    Rawrzilla Guest

    Omg, in restrospective, my childhood would have been soooo much better had I had a mini-Daredevil costume to run around in being my insufferable little self :badgrin:

    I did have a bit of a meanstreak between 9-13 that became nastier by the years until it exploded on everyone's faces and from the wreckage came out a fucking monster (in the eyes of all the authority figures in my life, I'm sure) that lasted from 14-16. It wasn't until I was 17 that I started to become the person I am today, and, looking back, holy crap was I awful to everyone that tried to help me back then. I probably did need the therapist afterall lol
     
    #14 Rawrzilla, May 5, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: May 5, 2015
  15. sartorious

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    arfff
    I visited 4 (voted 3 by accident due to sleepy feeling after waking up)

    FULL PSYCHIATRIC RECORD
    1. A psychologist : Really really nice and caring guy, very competent in my eye. During my 1st case visit he keeps digging abut my sexuality to due to my parents worry instead of my own problem, eventually i got few sessions of cognitive behavior therapy and it really helps. 2nd case visit was few years later after i receive death threat (i didn't tell him that obviously), got another therapy but its not working that time

    so i got refered to

    2. A psychiatrist : Reaaaaaalllly super sweet woman that really nice to talk to, super friendly in non formal way. The session is more like a fun talk show instead of boring job interview. I told her almost everything only the sexuality and threat thing that i'm not willing to discuss. i got diagnosed with Type II Bipolar, she keeps telling that it is manageable so i keep my hopes up.

    few years later i was down during pre-med due to the realization of my interest in "certain alternative sexual activity". I got hype and curious and people start talking... Since i'm one hour flight away to the therapist no 2 (the sweet psychiatrist) i have to find another therapist without spending too much money so i go to clinic for my university student

    3. Another Psychiatrist : A psychiatry consultant that happens to hold PhD and a FACULTY MEMBER and also MY LECTURER that kind of opening my eyes to the "certain alternative sexual activity".

    Realizing that i wont be able to get help here without ruining my reps and future career i decided to leave and go to another psych

    4. Private Psychiatrist : A psychiatry specialist, super expensive, not helping at all

    i fall into major depression and attempt suicide by alcohols and pills... i'm still alive now tho (thank you ER, Gastric Lavage, Dialysis, Chelation and Medical Induced Coma at ICU)

    Few weeks back i fall for another depression episode and since i cant get help from professional i'm thinking another suicide attempt (this time using 50mg of stolen morphine) and i came here for support. Thanks guys for stopping my crazy thought...

    now i'm off from antidepressant and anti-psychotic but still on stolen mood stabilizer
     
  16. Boudicca

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    I've had none. I was required to go to my school's counselor for a bit after having the cops called on me for "suicidal ideation", but I just went the required number of times then quit. I didn't get anything out of it, but I was also just really embarrassed by the situation and resentful that I was forced to go, so I wasn't very open to counseling. Oh well.
     
  17. tscott

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    4 - one as a kid, the witch woman, the really neat one who moved me to my current therapist (we'd gone as far as we could), and the gay therapist I have now and maybe the most challenging.
     
  18. Fallingdown7

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    Three. The first two were super shitty. The third helped me a lot, and I stopped seeing her because I had finally moved on from my issues thanks to her.
     
  19. nohalos

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    Never felt like I needed one. Quite frankly, I can't afford one either.
     
  20. Spacewalker

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    Five.
    1-4 was crap. 5th now is good and nice but I feel I don't need therapy anymore sooo...
    Has it worked? Well not the therapists. I helped myself.