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Anyone here been to therapy?

Discussion in 'Off-topic Discussion' started by AtomicTango, Jul 25, 2021.

  1. Spiritual Redemption

    Spiritual Redemption Fapstronaut

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    Hi Atomic Tango

    Good questions! Having shunned the Steps for years, and only having taken them as a matter of life and death, I believe that every human being could benefit from working them. They are far more profound, in depth, and life changing than my preconceived judgment and condemnation allowed me to see. Essentially, I thought it was a cult program, which over time, I have seen that it is anything but.

    It is true that the Steps began in Alcoholics Anonymous, but it is not restricted to only alcoholics. There are hundreds of Fellowships, all people with different problems (Gambling, drugs, co-dependency, ad infinitum) and yes, there is a 12 program for emotional and mental illness as far as I'm aware. With all these fellowships, and vast and varied problems, they all have the same solution.

    Essentially, if I can explain the 12 Steps, it is a process you follow that results in a spiritual awakening, and a radical shift in your perception and psychology. It is a program that overlaps with most religious doctrines, yet is very open and no one forces a particular God or philosophy upon you. Essentially, if you're happy to stick with practical and scientific based solutions (which there is nothing wrong with), than therapy, CBT, and many other therapies can yield great results. However, if you're searching for something spiritual, the Steps is one of the many paths in life to find spirituality and a Higher Power.

    The process is essentially this:
    You surrender to a higher power
    You examine every part of yourself good, bad, and are willing to take stock of yourself and everything you've done with brutal honesty. You admit your faults.
    You work on consistent change by overcoming your flaws and practicing spiritual principles every day.
    You make good to every person you've harmed.
    You continue to watch your behaviour every day, and correct it as you go along.
    You find spiritual disciplines that keep you connected with a higher power every day (meditation, yoga, prayer, etc.)
    You help other people, predominantly other addicts/people suffering with the same problem as you.

    This is a very brief overview of how the Steps work. I'm well aware this program isn't for everyone. I would not have done it if I had any other choice, but it has turned out to be an incredible blessing. Essentially, the call is yours. There are many paths in life to take, each with its own adventures, struggles, and experiences. But essentially, if you're seeking, no matter which path you take, you'll be moving up the mountain. God speed, and if you would like to chat further, send me a message.
     
  2. AtomicTango

    AtomicTango Fapstronaut

    Thank you for taking the time to write all that out. My first appointment is tomorrow afternoon and I'm planning on writing an update on here about how it went. I'm mostly hopeful I can sort myself out this way but also wary, I have niggling doubts about it all I cannot lie.
     
  3. gordie

    gordie Fapstronaut

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    They'll probably tell you this in therapy but typically too things get worse before they get better.
     
  4. AtomicTango

    AtomicTango Fapstronaut

    Yeah, I dont expect immediate results. I suppose it depends on what the psychiatrist actually says. I mean maybe I'm a paranoid schizo and every talk I have on here is imagined. You never know...
     
  5. Spiritual Redemption

    Spiritual Redemption Fapstronaut

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    Please do post, would like to see how your journey unfolds. Best of luck!
     
  6. Atticus

    Atticus Fapstronaut

  7. AtomicTango

    AtomicTango Fapstronaut

    First appointment went well. Honestly I dont have as much to say as I thought I would, because it was just an initial assessment and they want to continue it next time. That's in around a month.
     
    FirefromAbove, Atticus and gordie like this.
  8. like2throw

    like2throw Fapstronaut

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    Yes, and it was useless. This forum is much better as therapy than my ex-therapist was
     
  9. AtomicTango

    AtomicTango Fapstronaut

    Why was it useless?
     
  10. Seeing one now, most likely never gonna see her again. She basically said I have depression and anxiety and there's nothing much I can do aside from take antidepressants and medication.
     
  11. like2throw

    like2throw Fapstronaut

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    The sessions itself felt more like counselling than psychotherapy (which is what I paid for as I wanted my deep issues to come to the surface). There was a lot of pointless and cliche "how does that make you feel?" AND above all else he kept trying to put ideas in my head that wasn't even the case out of his own insecurity. I remember if our last session (wasn't gonna pay for more was I?) I wanted to talk about how I'm finding taking care of my baby nephew overwhelming (at the time, my sister and her husband were split) and just from then he raised his voice "it's not your nephew who's the problem, he's a baby". I'm just like bruh, what kind of therapist assumes and doesn't allow the conversation to flow to find out what the person is saying because I felt overwhelmed by essentially fathering my nephew at the time and he would have found out what I was on about if he had listened further as one would expect from you know a therapist.

    At the time I was so beat down by life, I didn't even try defending/explaining myself. My payback was just gonna be the fact that he won't get any more money from me which I know he was gutted about. He actually was trying harder on that last session once I told him I didn't want these sessions anymore lmao. I guess that's why he rasied his voice, he was getting frustrated that I was unimpressed by his poor sessions.
     
  12. AtomicTango

    AtomicTango Fapstronaut

    Thanks for sharing. I am worried this will happen too, and if it does I'm politely, but directly, refusing.
     
  13. AtomicTango

    AtomicTango Fapstronaut

    Wow, that guy sounds like a jackass. Thankfully the woman I spoke to seems more on the level. I hope you are doing better now.
     
  14. AtomicTango

    AtomicTango Fapstronaut

    Realised that I never brought up my disturbing dreams and insomnia in my last session. Do you guys think it's worth bringing that up next time? I kinda do.
     
  15. like2throw

    like2throw Fapstronaut

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    Thanks a lot. I am actually, I'm forcing myself to have a better lifestyle including NoFap.
     
  16. AtomicTango

    AtomicTango Fapstronaut

    Glad to hear it.
     
  17. FirefromAbove

    FirefromAbove Fapstronaut

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    Bring up whatever you think needs to be helped.
     
    MikeBR, Atticus and gordie like this.
  18. AtomicTango

    AtomicTango Fapstronaut

    Yeah I think I will. I just forgot about it last time. It's gonna be a bit embarrassing cause a lot of my dreams are either extremely violent or sexual, and often both. I myself cant even begin to parse any meaning from them. They used to occur on long streaks, so they felt like withdrawal symptoms, but now I have no idea.
     
    Atticus and gordie like this.
  19. MikeBR

    MikeBR Fapstronaut

    I’ve been to therapy but never talked about my porn addiction. Might be something to bring up next time.. as embarrassing as it is.
     
    AtomicTango likes this.
  20. AtomicTango

    AtomicTango Fapstronaut

    Attended my second appointment today. What I intended to speak about got sidelined in favour of discussing various physical issues I've been having recently, and the effect it's been having on my mental health. My next therapy session is in two weeks.
     
    FirefromAbove likes this.

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