Head-shrinkers, not shrunked heads

[inmyriadbits]

As I mentioned, I've been watching In Treatment. It has me thinking about therapy, so have a poll! I hope these questions aren't too personal.

[Poll #1158292]

Comments

[sociofemme.livejournal.com]

I think I was talking about this in chat with you, but I went to counseling at college for a couple of months when I was having intense anxiety about stuff (future, family, friends, everything crumbling in), and I found it very helpful. If I could go upon occasion to talk things out with someone like that (for free, no less), I still would, but I am no longer a student, alas.

[sociofemme.livejournal.com]

and my very favourite fictional shrink is Dr. Huang, on L&O: SVU. ♥

[jaydeyn-sitari.livejournal.com]

Seconded. He's pretty darn awesome. :)

:)
Jaydeyn

[inmyriadbits.livejournal.com]

I have never heard of him! What's he like?

[inmyriadbits.livejournal.com]

Oh, right, I remember that. :)

Is it maybe something that's worth paying for, though? Idk, finances are a touchy subject, but if it was that helpful, might it be worth shelling out the money for? At least for a short-term run.

[fox1013.livejournal.com]

Jessie's doctor on Once and Again is the best TV therapist, ever.

Paul is good too, but Jessie's doctor- as long as I know- has no desire to sleep with her, SO.

[inmyriadbits.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I might have to check out this Once and Again. Your recs have been pretty solid so far, and I do love me a good therapist character. Any idea where I can find eps?

Ha, well, you should note that I made sure to say "favorite" rather than "best." And then proceeded to vote for Hannibal Lecter... ;)

[soundslikej.livejournal.com]

I should be in therapy, but I don't have insurance. And I can't get a job because I am crazycakes. I heart vicious circles. They just keep going round and round.

I have been in the past too, and I think it could be helpful in theory, but my first shrink saw my mom too (which, hi, just...no.) and my second seemed to think that EVERYTHING EVER stemmed from me liking girls. Which...actually, thanks, that is the least of my problems.

So....therapy! Awesome for other people! ...potentially awesome in the future for me?

[inmyriadbits.livejournal.com]

You know, my friend Marta does this thing, I forget what it's called, but I think basically you get some training, pair up with another person in the program, and proceed to be each others' sympathetic-but-uninvolved ears. It's not like professional psychiatry, but a lot of the benefit of therapy, IMO, is just having someone neutral/not associated with your life and your problems listen to you spill your guts. (A little like online friendships can be sometimes, I think; people who care and actively listen but aren't in the middle of the mess themselves.) It's free, too, which works well when you don't have insurance or a job. She really raves about it, and Marta's not a raver, in general. :) Do you want me to ask about it for you?

Uh, yeah, no sharing therapists with the mother. Yeesh. And I feel a strong desire to reach back through the space-time continuum to smack your second therapist upside the head for you, ARGH.

[soundslikej.livejournal.com]

Oooh, that actually sounds very cool. I mean, potentially I should be getting a real person job with insurance in the next month or so, but...I'm still going to be too poor for copays, I think, so yeah, I'd love to hear more about that!

*giggles* Yeah, that was...it actually worked out well at the time because it meant I didn't have to explain anything that was going on, but...yeah, it wouldn't have worked long term, even if I had been able to afford it. And the second one was actually more the fault of my school's counseling center, because, you know. Everyone who appears even VAGUELY gay must immediately be sent to The Gay Therapist. *rolls eyes*

[missmollyetc.livejournal.com]

I was a really little kid when I was in...well, I'm not even sure I can call it what I believe you're thinking about in terms of 'therapy.' As an adult I've never been.

[inmyriadbits.livejournal.com]

I was thinking basically any kind of counseling in a formal setting. As in, talking to someone whose job it is to have you talk to them. What did you go to as a kid, if you don't mind me asking?

[missmollyetc.livejournal.com]

Okay, then, yes, that was therapy. ::grins:: I saw a nice, forty-ish woman at Kaiser Permanente once in her office, and then in a sort of...well, I guess it was a kind of playroom for kids seeing shrinks. Again, I was really quite young, so I'm fuzzy on the details. She asked me questions, I answered them, and then she decided I didn't actually need therapy--I just needed to be removed from an unhealthy non-familial enviornment--so we stopped going.

I don't suppose that helps much? But, it's what I can remember.

[poisonivory.livejournal.com]

Dr. Scratchensniff from Animaniacs!

[inmyriadbits.livejournal.com]

Ahahaha, of course! :D

[jaydeyn-sitari.livejournal.com]

Currently in therapy. I've found it very helpful, though very confronting. Particularly about the stuff that I back the heck off whenever mentioned. But it's been good, just what I needed I think. Helps me to get stuff done that I procrastinate on and has helped me with some strategies to build back my relationship with Mum. Which is good.

I give it a thumbs up. Just remember, you don't have to keep the first person you see as your therapist. Go to someone you feel comfortable with. If you were in OZland I'd say talk to your GP about getting the ten sessions free on medicare, but obviously, that's not helpful. Community places, schools/universities, those sorts of places can often get you free consults.

And if you have any questions, feel free to ask them of me! :)

:)
Jaydeyn

[inmyriadbits.livejournal.com]

Oh, I've been in therapy before. I was just thinking about it and wondering about my flist. :) I'm glad it's helpful for you, too.