Is it just me that thinks therapy is a waste of time and money?

Question

After trying this out, I find the therapist was giving me advice that I already know. It wasn't anything different /that stood out. But rather a quick Google search /me talking to a friend would give me the same if not better result.

.. and this is something I'm spending money on?(!)

lightbulb27 · Accepted Answer

It depends. It's like anything else, it's problem solving. I could say the same of soe Dr.'s.

We don't see ourselves very well, what is driving our behavior, nor do we have the experience to understand people until we get close to them. relationships expose deeper flaws and issues such as childhood traumas, so a trained therapist can help. however, not all are equally skilled and as well patients can ignore or not even remember the early life experiences/training that is driving their errant behavior

Someone who has lived through something is a lot more saavy than someone that is book smart. You need to find the root issues driving the experience that is causing issues/conflicts, and then decide what you are willing to change and develop strategies to change. Until then, it's "pain" until you learn and gain the perspective over the issue.

The big challenge is that most people don't want to change, it's hard to change and we expect others to change instead of us. thus couples counseling is the toughest I hear.

ChrisMaster69 · Accepted Answer

It greatly depends on the person needing counselling, what their issues, concern, mental health problem is and the counsellor.

A lot of counselling centres tend to specialise in certain area or rather have counsellors with certain skill sets.

a good centre will once you have your Initial Assessment try and marry you up with someone that is best fit and has best knowledge on that area. Experience also comes into a lot of the time.

A lot of times is spent talking through the issues to find sort of the route cause of the issue, with some experiencing a rape, it may just be the actual attack and violence etc, where as with others it may be how their family has reacted, how their friends are and less about the actual rape.

Also if the counsellor is registered to a set body and or framework.

https://www.bacp.co.uk/events-and-resources/ethics-and-standards/ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions/

All counsellors (therapists) should be accountable to a governing body.

Xoxocutekitty · Accepted Answer

It's a waste if you're not willing to emotionally open up or if you expect them to come in a solve all your problems.

Your therapist is supposed to tell you what your problems are, even if you don't want to hear them, you probably should if you ever want to improve or become better.

So yes, you're paying someone to tell you the ways that you're scum, but you're also not losing friendships, relationships, family etc while you get over admitting these problems and then making a plan to notice and work on certain behaviors. Your therapist can often become your biggest supporter, as in they know your scum but still believe in you that you're going to work on it and your potential.

2facedfa1ry · Accepted Answer

100% agree. You can litterally just do a quick google search, talk to people online or friends/family, watch youtube videos or at worst buy a self help book. Doing that you can litterally fix your problems for free or for not that much $$ without having to go anywhere, instead of having to take out of your life to go see some random person that you have to pay to have them listen to you talk for an hour, where they probably won't tell you anything except really generalized stuff many people already would tell you. the few actual medical/psych stuff they say to help you, you can find that out quickly online for free

MORPHEUS_12 · Answer

I believe it is hit or miss. I have heard so many incidents where a patient's mental health professional has more issues than the patient. I even know of a friend who's psychologist seduced her patient and then when the professional realized she was doing her patient more harm then good she tried to break it off. This destroyed the patient and the patient took revenge. The psychologist was forced to move out of state. I personally don't trust anyone who doesn't have have an MD behind their name.

DoctorSex · Answer

Depends what type of therapy you do and who you go to.
No different than schools for example.

I helped cure people of phobias like flying/ insects /smoking etc using psychotherapy.
I've had people walking around my office in a trance state, I've had others regressed to the age of 3, this is useful for times when the trauma happened at 5 years old, so by regressing to 3, they haven't come in contact with the trauma yet and I can give them coping strategies to carry with them. That's a very powerful one.

Kind regards,
DoctorSex

slatyb · Answer

Like everything else, some therapists are better than others. I was lucky to find a great therapist when I was going through an ugly divorce from a woman with a serious personality disorder.

Also not all therapists match all people. You may have to meet more than one before you find one that works for you.

affectioncrave · Answer

I use the classic "Depends on the person" card here too. For some people, it works and they can find a good therapist who understands them. Other people aren't so lucky.

I personally hate the idea for someone else to tell me how I should think, what's normal and what's not. For someone to say what I see, hear and feel in a social situation are only my own "imagination" and aren't valid. Should I really trust the words of a complete stranger who wasn't even there over my own senses? I know they are professionals, but... darn... if I can't even trust myself, how am I supposed to build an identity of my own, self-confidence? It's a bit scary to me that we allow a complete stranger to mold our thought process to be certain way...

But could only be my own bad experiences from before. There are many forms of theraphy after all. If it works for you, nice! If not, I hope you can help yourself or somebody else can!

Anonymous · Answer

Most psychotherapists are a waste of time.

I had one for a short time after a very traumatic event at work and despite me saying that what I was experiencing was PTSD related she kept giving me "tasks" to do that were designed for minor things. Did absolutely nothing. And I told her this a few times.

When I emailed the clinic saying I'm through with this... instead of being professional about it and leaving things be at that... the psychotherapist had the nerve to phone my cell phone and bitch about how we were progressing, etc.

In response I wrote another email calling her extremely unprofessional in a polite way.

Anonymous · Answer

It’s a hit or miss. I went to 4-5 different therapists until I finally found one that I can vibe with. I also tried different types of therapy (talk therapy, hypnotherapy, RTT) until I landed on one that works for me. I realized that I just needed to vent and have someone validate my feelings while explaining where my feelings are coming from instead of offering advice or a solution to my issues.

I think you also need to think about what exactly are you looking for in a therapist. What kind of outcome do you want out of each session? That way, you can start looking for therapists that matches your needs.

JDBSLAOQ · Answer

I got a referral to a specialist and it didn't help me despite that.

Its just a matter of finding one that works for you though, but unless you need it it won't do much anyway. Completely up to the person if they decide the price is worth the service

RagnarRedbeard · Answer

I suppose it depends on the problem. Personally I think think that for most things it’s a waste of time, and I see a lot of people (dumb Americans mainly) suggest therapy for the tiniest of things. I don’t get it. For most problems actually doing something about the problem beats talking about it all day.

coachTanthony · Answer

Therapy is more about you working through your trauma and issues. If your therapist is giving you ADVICE then you aren't seeing a therapist. Therapist don't give advice... they guide you through your pain so you can work it out.

Get a real therapist.

shaysh87 · Answer

therapy is not so much about advice but rather about having someone to vent to about your problems. Venting is therapeutic. If you really want psychological analysis, go for a psychologist rather than just a therapist.

Phoenix98 · Answer

I mean for some people it is a waste of time and money and for others it's really helpful. Honestly some people just need someone to talk to and sometimes a therapist is that person.

JustinTheGreat · Answer

A lot of people need to go through several therapists to find the right one that works for them. It can take time. but therapy has changed a lot of peoples lives

jennifer_bloom · Answer

A good therapist can make a huge difference but not all therapists are high quality - you need one with a PhD and not one with an MA.

Anonymous · Answer

it can really depend , i've had good and bad experiences over the years , honestly it depends what your looking for and need at the time. sometimes it does the trick others can be a pointless effort if you don't connect with the other person

fatmucho · Answer

It has to be the right therapist for u. Some therapists are trash, some are actually very helpful.

yourpalval · Answer

its kinda hard because finding the right therapist is like finding your soulmate, when it works it works but until then you'll end up feeling like you wasted your time

DryGermanGuy · Answer

Uhm, I would say it rather depends on the issue at hand - are you suffering from depression or just have problems cleaning up your wardrobe?

Guy13 · Answer

Axiom of Life: All success and change is grounded in the heart. No real work or focus then no effort and a waste of both Time and Money

Iron_Man · Answer

Most of the time a person already knows that they need to exercise and think positive but if you’re really in bad shape you have to have somebody to talk and rant with just try to find a good one

XLlabia · Answer

Therapy is best summed up as this. You are paying someone to look at your watch, telling you the time, and then charging you hundreds of dollars for it.

notwoke · Answer

I have yet to find a therapist I didn't eventually decide was a mental midget. I think therapy won't be useful unless the therapist is a lot wiser than you

Aiko_E_Lara · Answer

It's only a waste if you're just too stubborn to understand. You may not realize that sometimes the problem may just be you. So if you already know then why do you even bother?

dolemite89 · Answer

nope ur smart to conclude that, i think it’s absurd to think a therapist isn’t themselves probably a screwed up person too so why should anybody take their advice? lol

Subarugirl · Answer

You get out of it when you put into it. It’s not a magical fix all it requires time and effort

KrakenAttackin · Answer

The worst is marriage counseling. If you are at the point where you need counseling, your marriage is over.

RuthlessAggression · Answer

while i don't think you're the only one I think you're wrong

TheFlak38 · Answer

Watch Jordan Peterson videos and you'll get your therapy for free.

userxvi · Answer

Outside of serious cases of trauma and mental illness I would say its a waste.

bakajana · Answer

I kind of think so too

Anonymous · Answer

A huge waste of money. No one can fix you.

legalboxers · Answer

if you get good drugs out of it

Anonymous · Answer

It is unless you commit yourself to it.

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

No, it's good

Is it just me that thinks therapy is a waste of time and money?

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