Posted by Dinah on March 1, 2004, at 17:36:29
In reply to Re: Therapy vs. Coaching » Dinah, posted by 64Bowtie on March 1, 2004, at 17:18:48
It doesn't sound all that different from CBT. CBT emphasizes cognitions over feelings. My own therapist believes in honoring feelings but doing what you have to do anyway. That may be a bit simplistic summary of his beliefs, but is relatively accurate.
But I'm now even more confused. It sounds as if your decision not to become a therapist is largely pragmatic. So would it be more fair to say that you don't feel all therapy is a bad habit? But that your orientation would be more CBT or Reality Theory (is that right? It might be Choice - William Glasser, I think) than analytic or relational?
Therapy offers all sorts of different, and useful, things. Teaching new coping skills, reminding you to use them. Learning experientially that there are different, more effective ways, to relate to others. And that beliefs and ways of coping that served us well in childhood may no longer be necessary, though they served their function well at the time. And for some of us, therapy also provides a bit of ego glue.
Some people can come and learn and move on. Some people need ongoing support. Neither needs be right or wrong. If therapy helps us function at our best, surely that's a good thing? Not a bad habit at all. Maybe a healthy habit, like eating right and exercising.
You referred to my recent meltdown and rapid recovery. Part of it was meds related. But part of it was due to therapy. I think therapy kept me out of the hospital and reasonably functional. When I'm feeling better, it keeps me even more functional. So you see before you the results of the very good habit of therapy.
poster:Dinah
thread:318867
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040225/msgs/319184.html