When people talk about “therapy” here, they most likely are thinking of bog-standard talk therapy, where you just go in and kinda, well, talk to someone about your life, problems, etc.

For some people, it’s enough to just get things off their chest, talk about things out loud with someone and helps them deal with their issues. I personally see such a therapist monthly and find it beneficial to my mental health.

For others, especially those with more intense troubles and traumas, it may not be, and would probably be served better by someone more specialized with said traumas.

Like any medical profession, the quality of individual therapists and mental health experts can vary widely, from chuds to libs to comrades and everything in-between. there’s a solid chance you may not get the perfect fit on try 1, I didn’t.

I just feel like some people are dipping their toes into Scientology-ish “all therapy is bad, never seek professional help for your problems” stuff, which I think is disastrous advice.

  • UlyssesT [he/him]@hexbear.netEnglish
    12·
    2 months ago

    The more advanced treatments such as EMDR are out of reach for a lot of people, especially in the publicly-funded but privately-profitable insurance octopus system that dominates the US and many other westen countries. That sucks because some of that stuff can really help people for specific issues, such as traumatic stress processing in the case of EMDR.

    • Pentacat [he/him]@hexbear.netEnglish
      3·
      2 months ago

      If you’re in a city and your therapist isn’t a grad student—but maybe even if they are—they’re going to be able to refer you to someone who does EMDR if you ask. Another great trauma modality is somatic experiencing, though that’s harder to find than EMDR. A lot of practitioners on insurance panels can still provide this type of specialty service.

    • kristina [she/her]@hexbear.netEnglish
      2·
      2 months ago

      EMDR is fucking ridiculous just play a video game or preoccupy yourself in some other way its the same fucking thing, I fucking HATE how people act like this is a serious treatment and isn’t deeply condescending to survivors

      • UlyssesT [he/him]@hexbear.netEnglish
        3·
        2 months ago

        I found EMDR very helpful for me after some particularly bad experiences. Yes, I tried distractions before that, for years after the incident, but having a guided process made a difference for me with lasting results. Please do not invalidate my own experience as a trauma survivor.