Psychotherapy

My Dr has me tapering-off of all meds, due to side-effects difficulties, and is scheduling me for psychotheray.  I've never gone for therapy in the past and don't know what to expect or what I'm getting into.  Please let me know what your experiences are/were in therapy.  I'm not sure if it'll be much help.  Have the fealing that it'll go like:  "what do you want to talk about?".... "gee, I don't know"...the nothing.  Thx, Thom.

[Venora Moonwind]

therapy can be very helpful but you hav e to get ruthlessly hinest with yourself and your therapist. I am sure there is much to talk about and it also can help you deal with your depressiona like what to do when the depression hits you. go in with an open mind and get the beest  you can out if it.
Love Venora

[Venora Moonwind]

therapy can be very helpful but you hav e to get ruthlessly hinest with yourself and your therapist. I am sure there is much to talk about and it also can help you deal with your depressiona like what to do when the depression hits you. go in with an open mind and get the beest  you can out if it.
Love Venora

[umya]

psychotherapy is crucial for real change.  it can be painful, but just remember, it takes courage to cry.  it is also important to go often.  some suggest two days a week minimum.  this is because defenses tend to turn up their volume when we enter therapy and it is important to keep the flood of feelings that are coming out near the surface.  psychotherapy once a month for example can be useless as it just creates an illusion of wellness for the patient.  i'm glad to hear your doctor is suggesting it.  most just like to refill prescriptions indefinitely, another creator of an illusion of wellness.  

[green eyed lady]

You get as much out as you put in with therapy. My experience with therapist have all been positive---I was lucky to find someone I felt comfortable with. Sometimes this is not the case so instead of giving up you need to find someone you trust. For me it was refreshing because for that hour it was about me...not my kids who obviously are my first priority, but me.

In the begining it started out slow because there is a "getting to know you" phase, but in time when we started to get to the root of my problems it was extremely cathartic. I had the misconception that you go in, spill your guts, and then the therapist tells you what you need to do. Not the case with my therapist. It was more of me talking about my problems and the therapist asking the right questions and me figuring out the best way to deal with everything. Very, very healing.

Also there is a difference between therapist---my psychotherapist was unable to prescribe medication whereas a psychiatrist is able to do so. I also saw a counselor who was not a Dr. who was able to prescribe meds. It depends on the schooling and degrees. So if you're looking for medication to help you make sure your therapist is able to prescribe.

I really think that if you find someone you feel comfortable with and you are completely honest you will have a very positive experience. Good luck to you.