I'm considering going to see the therapist that did my eval. I know I have underling issues that need to be worked out but do they really help you figure it all out?

I am hoping to hear from people who have both had success and possibly didn't. I want the entire picture.

I'm not asking anyone to give me details they don't want to share. Just if it worked!!

I had two colleagues that went to therapy and for one of them the sessions helped.

She told me that it's up to the person, if they want it to work it will. You have to be open with yourself and the therapist. She has been in therapy for about a year and she says it has helped her with the issues she had.

For the 2nd person, he did not go in with an open mind and only went to 5 session and really didn't feel like it worked for him. He felt strange telling someone who he didn't know his problems.

So it's really up to the person. Are you ready and willing to have help, then yes it should work.

I dealt with 2 years of major depression and generalized anxiety. After 9 months of trying to find a medication that would work it was suggested that maybe counseling would be something to add in. At this point I had taken FMLA from work because I was seriously going to get fired or go to jail (I worked in a care taking setting and under any other circumstance I am one of the calmest people you'll know) anywho I went to counseling once a week and I had great success. It is really nice to get an outside perspective. I wish you luck! It's something I'm working towards doing again.

Do therapists work?

I heard the expression..............

1/2 the world sees a therapist

the other 1/2 should

I started therapy about 5 years ago

i was at my lowest with problems/depression et al

many of my 'issues" stemmed from my feelings, lack of self-confidence et al concerning my being overweight

"Debbie" helped me tremendously as i was thinking/preparing for WLS

i continue to see her

its good for me to open up to someone other than my DH

for me.............

its been very helpful, and i still enjoy going

now i am perfect

good luck

kathy

As a therapist, I think it definitely works.. Therapy is kinda like the sleeve.. A tool!! We can't, unfortunately, wave a magic wand and fix everything.. But if you're willing to put the work in, IMHO it's very effective. Sometimes like exercise, you have to find what therapy works for you, it's not a one 'size' fits all... But then we all know one size just NEVER fits all Good Luck!!

Yep!

With the right therapist it can and does help!

I've been through several therapists in the past.

I must admit some of them where a waste of time. I wasn't ready for change with one, and another cried when I told my truths (trust me you don't want a therapist that empathizes so much she cries )

It takes work, in therapy of course, but also the leg work into finding the right one. I'd say don't just go and stay with the first one if it doesn't feel right.

Yep!

With the right therapist it can and does help!

I've been through several therapists in the past.

I must admit some of them where a waste of time. I wasn't ready for change with one, and another cried when I told my truths (trust me you don't want a therapist that empathizes so much she cries )

It takes work, in therapy of course, but also the leg work into finding the right one. I'd say don't just go and stay with the first one if it doesn't feel right.

100% correct, if you don't feel comfortable and don't feel like you are making strides - make a change!

I have used therapy to deal with some long standing issues multiple times, and was successful each time. For some people emotional issues are like an onion, lots of layers, and you might be only willing or able to deal with a couple of layers, but it is huge forward progress. Then you can take a break, and return when you are ready to deal with more layers of the onion. I live in a rural area and there isn't a support group for bariatric patients. I started seeing a therapist after my surgery knowing that dealing with the stressors of life without being able to use food to sooth and numb me was going to be a challenge. It has been very helpful to have someone to talk about the role food played in my life and how I need to cope / change without abusing food. As people above me have stated, if you aren't wiling to look at your issues and get some honest feedback, then therapy won't work, but if you can feel comfortable sharing your innermost thoughts, and are open to honest feedback and change then it can be one of the best things you do for yourself! Good luck!

Okay they work! But how? Is it really all about talking it out?

Okay they work! But how? Is it really all about talking it out?

How do they work? Good question... I have no f**king idea!

Hehehe..

But it's about talking yes, but mostly about learning about yourself and why you do the things you do and feel the way you do. And working with your stressors to find a better way to cope.

There were things I didn't like about myself (personality flaws?) reactions to things where hurting me and others so I've worked on being less self destructive.

Now am I perfect and fixed? NO!

But I'm better at recognizing behaviors and patterns that don't work well for me and changing them before it all falls apart

I will say one of the best things my therapist taught me (don't laugh, I still can get a temper ) is to "breathe" yes, simple in and out deep breathing to bring myself into the moment. Deep breath in...

Release... I am now present, I am here..

Okay they work! But how? Is it really all about talking it out?

It's about a different perspective. It's about processing through your problems and learning new coping skills. What's nice is you go in and can identify.... Oh every Weekend I over eat.... Why?.... Well the stress of the weekend... What's the stress?.... My husband is working all weekend and I am overwhelmed by the kids and my house is a mess and it's easier to order pizza. OK what can you do to control this? You can't force your husband to stay home.... So this week lets try you prepping meals with your husband Friday night, maybe you make a big turkey Friday night and use it as leftovers. Than you and your husband do a quick pick up Saturday and once a month you get a babysitter on Saturday.

My problems were things I couldn't control. My plate was overflowing... I felt like I was drowning. It was identifying oh... I can ask for help. I can ask my mom to pick up Caleb, I can ask my dad to help him with homework, I can not make my sister in law not be a negative person...

How do they work? Good question... I have no f**king idea!

Hehehe..

But it's about talking yes' date=' but mostly about learning about yourself and why you do the things you do and feel the way you do. And working with your stressors to find a better way to cope.

There were things I didn't like about myself (personality flaws?) reactions to things where hurting me and others so I've worked on being less self destructive.

Now am I perfect and fixed? NO!

But I'm better at recognizing behaviors and patterns that don't work well for me and changing them before it all falls apart

I will say one of the best things my therapist taught me (don't laugh, I still can get a temper ) is to "breathe" yes, simple in and out deep breathing to bring myself into the moment. Deep breath in...

Release... I am now present, I am here..

[/quote']

Lol so talking to myself doesn't count ????

Lol so talking to myself doesn't count dde09

Only if you charge yourself $160 for every 55 minutes of it

Only if you charge yourself 160 for every 55 minutes of it

Hehe my insurance covers 100% of mental health...how can I pretend to be a therapist and charge myself?

Nothing works unless you do. Finding the proper therapist is key. You MUST trust them or its all for nought. I have been to several, but could not get comfortable until I found someone whom I trusted enough to confess my behavior to! LOVE her and I get better at getting better every session!!

I'm considering going to see the therapist that did my eval. I know I have underling issues that need to be worked out but do they really help you figure it all out? I am hoping to hear from people who have both had success and possibly didn't. I want the entire picture. I'm not asking anyone to give me details they don't want to share. Just if it worked!!

You and I have talked about this some already. I am completely certain I wouldn't be where I am at without a therapist. Trying to do WLS without one would be disastrous for me. But that's me. I do EMDR, which is used for PTSD and anxiety. If this is part of your problem then I highly recommend it. Finding the right therapist is key. The thing I think helps the most is that my therapist doesn't let me bullsh*t her. I can rationalize the hell out of something. I work in a social services type field, so I know all the lingo to make myself seem mentally fine. She holds my feet to the fire and keeps me honest. And the times when I have had real mental breaks she has been available to talk me off the ledge and get me in for an appointment preventing me from being hospitalized.

My experience with my psychologist who screened me for surgery was completely different. I was open and honest with him because I thought that was the right thing to do. But he wouldn't be someone I would see outside of the required screening. In talking to him he sees things very black and white. It's his way or it's wrong. Example, my screening showed I have depression and anxiety (things I already knew). He thought I should be on meds and I disagreed. He also said I shows signs of "adjustment disorder." My response to that was that I am sure if there is something I have some uncomfortableness then there is a "disorder" diagnosis to go with it.

Which makes me think of another reason things work well between me and my therapist. We agree on my treatment plan. I went in there knowing I didn't want to be put on meds right away. I wanted to go through treatment and would discuss meds if my issues were affecting my ability to work and function in life. She agreed. Thankful we did this cause I am now being monitored for a possible bi-polar II diagnosis that we wouldn't have discovered had I already been medicated. I believe life should have moments of extreme joy and it's set of struggles. My therapist agreed and supported me in my decisions. Things work between my therapist and I because we can be very candid with my mental health overall. It's this type of relationship that I have come to value in my therapist. Okay - I feel like I am writing a book. I hope this helps you make some decisions. If you want to know more about EMDR and how it works just send me a PM and I can go into greater detail. It's not the typical "talking things out."