Are you for therapy or against it?

Question

TheRealPepperPotts · Accepted Answer

I'm for it. I used to be very much against it and thought it was for the weak and stupid and "messed up" people. Turns out we're all messed up, ha.

I used to think therapy was counseling. It's definitely not. We don't go to therapy for advice or counsel. We go to have a place to share and process things that may need to be challenged in a gentle way. Our friends aren't always the best to talk to because they will almost always side with us, unless they are exceptional friends and we can handle being challenged by them. But relationships like that are few and far between.

Therapy helps to identify cognitive distortions ("I'm so stupid, I'm ugly, I have to be perfect", etc.), black and white thinking ("all of my beliefs are 100% right and anyone who disagrees is wrong"), and asks us specific questions as we process our thoughts and feelings ("What evidence do you have for that thought being true? How are you going to challenge that pattern this week? How could you approach that differently in the future?" etc.) Those last questions are usually asked after we have already identified certain things that really bother us, like how family always comes over to our place unannounced, or how annoying it is when our boss wants us to start working on something new ten minutes before it's time to go home.

Maybe there are some people who are well-balanced, relational people who naturally understand how to set healthy boundaries and challenge their own thoughts. But in my experience, most people struggle with that. In fact, most people don't even know they have a problem.

So, I tend to strongly encourage therapy. It's a mental health tool to have in our collection that is extremely helpful. The caveat is that we do need to make sure our therapist is a good fit. Not all therapists are a perfect match the first time, so there's a bit of trial and error. It can feel weird at first and sometimes it stings. I remember the first time I was told by my therapist that I was trying to control someone else with my actions and it was the cause of my resentment. Ouch. It hit me between the eyeballs, and it felt awful to realize I was the problem. But, it was true. I learned a helpful lesson from that unpleasant revelation and it impacted me in a good way, even thought it was a rotten feeling at the time.

KittygosMeoWW · Accepted Answer

I am for therapy. I started going when I finally left an abusive relationship and it’s been extremely healing. There’s some things that you just really can’t talk to friends or family about. A therapist perspective helps you analyze your thought process in certain situations and it helps you heal them so you can apply the lessons you’ve learned towards your future.

Lynx122 · Accepted Answer

I'm for it :) I think every person has to be willing to work on themselves and you have to put in all the effort. But therapy can give you a path instead of feeling lost. It can help you understand your problems and show that you're not alone, or it can just be a place to vent all the bad shit that happened this week. I'm not saying it will help every single person but I think the critics are way too over the top.

Honestly I've only had positive experiences. In the beginning it did take some time for them to figure me out but that's understandable. Just like a regular doctor they might not diagnose you correctly right away. But after I got used to it more and I learned more about myself I made a lot of progress.

It was also like a safety net for me as I tried to learn about myself and figure out what was going on inside me. I could bounce things off another person and when I was going too far off course they could steer me back.

But I think 80% of people don't have the courage or the willingness to confront their fears, their behavior and beliefs that come from trauma and to actually change something. They'd rather go on coping and try and just feel good in the moment even if it's not healthy.

There's still things I'm struggling with and figuring out. But in the past there were many things that made me anxious, tense and avoidant that now I don't even think about anymore. There will always be more challenges but I believe you can significantly improve your quality of life if you're willing to be open about difficult topics.

ohsheeT · Accepted Answer

Whether you believe it or not everything in this world happens for a reason and everything in this world that happens to us is to teach us something and when we don't get that message it's because our mind is going all different directions

I'm an empath and I'm an introvert so I like my quiet time I turn off TVs while I haven't watched TV for like 5 years I turn off the stereo and it's just quiet and I do whatever I do but in that moment our moments that I get clarity and things come to me it's like a meditation and if you're not able to do that for yourself then anybody that can see what you're going through or feel what you're going through can tell you what they see or feel and understand you and give you insight or clarity or just words that you would think about and maybe something with clicking you would say you know what that's what's going on with me and blah blah blah so anytime you can get help for anything I think it's a wise choice whether you hear your own words a stranger's word or therapist I mean we all need insight everyday we all need wisdom everyday we all need somebody to tell us what they see when they look at us when they watch us because sometimes we are in our own way so I don't think it's a bad thing

sage2021 · Answer

I'm for it but only if the therapist is a very good therapist.

Massageman · Answer

Massage therapy? Definitely for it.

dustybiker2 · Answer

Devils in the details.
I had to talk to a social worker as a teen, she thought she was a therapist. And I kept telling her "Aren't you supposed to have the licensed therapist down the hall tell me that?" Among others. She didn't like me. Funnily enough the entire building burned down a while after (wasn't me) they lost all records back then and I slipped out. She didn't say anything either. lol

If you manage to find a licensed therapist who you mesh well with. Doesn't disrespect you of cause you to become defensive there can be a lot of benefit to unburdening.

So it depends.

Shiprex · Answer

For women it's probably just what they want but need? Maybe yes because they get another's perspective that is more objective than their emotional one.
For men it's a hit and miss. The profession is largely female, with a female centric narrative and it seems to promote strategies based on how women who've formed and populated it since forever as well as used it like a chemist so it doesn't really cater to men.
Therapy for men is about DOING not talking. Doing something that allows the processing and rationalisation of things to make sense of and deal with or compartmentalise things. It's not always necessary to share and discuss things you're feeling. In fact dealing with it yourself within yourself treating yourself with compassion is perhaps a valuable skill to learn of self care.

ChicoFromThe305 · Answer

Neither, I do not believe a person can tell me how I think or why I think that way, I believe therapists are useless to me, I believe everything you are going through that you feel requires a therapist is nothing but a self powering cage, a cage that can be broken by your own strength and your own ability, not cause of some sucker that scammed you out of your money to feed you a specific form of wiring, you are wired the way you are wired, everything you need to defeat that is already inside you, the key is to remain positive and fight the negative with the positive, that's me personally tho, I'm not saying some people don't require someone to tell them how to think or deal with certain issues.

AnonAndrew · Answer

I'm for therapy when it's genuinely useful.

I do think it's overused today. People will go to a therapist because they're feeling a bit down, when that's just a normal life experience.

Others also go to therapists just to talk, which is something you'd normally do with a family member or friend. But I can kinda understand why people feel the need to do this, since so many people are becoming more socially isolated, and might not have someone they trust enough to talk to.

AaronKrieger · Answer

I am for it , since it can help you realize things about yourself you needed such as bad habits and help teach you good coping methods - overall guide you.  By the same token,  I don't see myself likely ever going to therapy , as I want to have the personal strength to handle life on my own. It doesn't mean it'll be perfect, but that's for me to figure out  (introspecting my life like bad habits and learning how to cope).

lightbulb27 · Answer

yes but they have to get your issue quick and offer approaches to get out. not everyone knows how to help you.

a lot of it is just learning about yourself... you were programmed and it's fouled up. the world is fouled up.

it helps in that we don't see our selves very well and can't understand the other.

Orion84 · Answer

Neither, or both.

I have nothing against other people going to therapy, if they feel it works for them. If so, that's great; I'm glad they have a positive experience with it.

I don't see it working for me, nor do I have any desire to try it, myself.

Anonymous · Answer

I’ve never needed therapy. I’m pretty self sufficient. Spent 10 years in the military so the shit I’ve seen far exceeds the stuff I go through in my life. The other thing that’s helped me a lot is to stop giving a fuck about 99% of things that don’t affect my life.

FreyaRed · Answer

What for kind of therapy. Some work others are pointless

MemeSupreme · Answer

for it but people should expect difficulty; time, and effort being necessary

CheeseMonster · Answer

For myself it has sometimes been helpful, and I may get it again at some point. I think other people should be free to choose whether they want to get therapy or not.

exitseven · Answer

I am not against it I think that especially in today's world most people do not have anyone to discuss personal problems with so maybe seeing a therapist will help them figure out exactly what is causing them so much pain and how to make it better.

BadApple69 · Answer

Against it. No one knows my situation better than I do. If I can’t work through it with my greater knowledge of all my situations, how is a therapist going to help?

lightofdarkness · Answer

I'M not aganist it but i suggested nature therapy or connection. Because no one needs another person to tell their bound and injured. We need just time and loneliness area. That's it

CupcakeTheDestroyer · Answer

I can’t think of any reason to be against therapy. The main issue is that therapy is a tool, not a solution. You have to want to get help to actually see change.

Bricealan · Answer

I'm all in for therapy if needed with a good therapist... I'm with @Sage2021 on this

lil_will_12 · Answer

Ofc, 100%  whilst i dont need it myself, i think it helps a lot of people through their problems and i am all for that.

Lliam · Answer

It can be very beneficial if the counselor or therapist is good. But there are some bad ones out there.

BCRanger10 · Answer

I'm not opposed to it, but from what I've seen, I think it's unnecessary in more than a few cases.

californiareaper · Answer

What kind of therapy are we talking about here

BrotherFalk · Answer

Absolutely for it. If nothing else having a sounding board for the turmoil that is emotion is important.

NathanDavis · Answer

I'm always for therapy and counseling, yes... even if I didn't have it myself

Drumlin2001 · Answer

For. It changed my life. It's no silver bullet, but if you throw yourself into it, it can help make changes in life

DishLady · Answer

"For"/"Against" is relative. You have to go when you have to go.

Nikki1989 · Answer

For it if you can find a good therapist. Most are useless.

HungTexan · Answer

I’m for it. Like any issue, get help from a professional.

bowenw · Answer

For if it's something you can't deal with yourself or by talking to friends about it.

DrPepper12 · Answer

Absolutely for it!!! EVERYONE needs a therapist to talk too!!!

TheStaleMarshmellow · Answer

Should be seen as a community service. Not for sale

Twalli · Answer

I think it's helpful, if you're willing to address your issues.

Anonymous · Answer

I think it's a waste of money in MOST cases. But it does have it's place for those that really need it.

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

Im for it you have to do whatever you have to do to protect your peace

bigjake1014 · Answer

I’ve gone to therapy for a couple different things and at the time it helps but once the therapy is over it all comes back

TonyMetal___86 · Answer

What kind of therapy?

slatyb · Answer

It helped me tremendously.

Still-alive · Answer

definitely for it.

LiamS95 · Answer

Never needed it so I don't know.

Anonymous · Answer

Didn’t help me at all

CubaPirate · Answer

Been there done that

Shakenbake11 · Answer

I think it’s overrated

ahkfn · Answer

Not against it.

Maria0002 · Answer

For I think it takes strength asking for help.

Kingofkings1992 · Answer

It can be helpful for some

WhitneySnow · Answer

For it

KostasKouvalis · Answer

I'm not a fan

andy530 · Answer

100% for it

Pterodon · Answer

For it

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