I found my therapist told me to distract myself with anxiety which was I feel a safety behaviour. But further on in my journey I realised there was a difference between getting on with my day and wallowing in anxiety. It was something I had to work out myself and part of the healing.
There are very few therapists (in my personal experience in NZ) that seem to "specialize" in anxiety. Again in my experience, there really is only "this way" that REALLY works and unless the therapist has themselves experienced anxiety they really arent that "experienced", rather, they are professionally qualified and trained to treat. Very difficult to text book your advice out of something you haven't personally experienced in this instance. Certainly they usually are very compassionate and validating, but that tends to have the outcome of enabling. In saying that, I imagine a fair chunk of therapists in some way are drawn to the role of therapist for some personal mental health reasons, be it their own or from maybe living with a loved one with mental health issues. BUT, there are so many different mental health issues, it doesn't necessarily mean the therapist has "this particular experience". From what I know now, I would want to ask if they've had personal experience with anxiety. Don't know if that's appropriate to ask or not, but I need the right person for the job I'm paying them for..
Dear Drew, the thing is that, for most of us, I can say it with no hesitation, you’re an authority on the topic. And, I unconsciously/ I can talk about me, is that I feel protected, understood, motivated…but you’re completely right you’re not our therapist and more over, you don’t know our personal history , I will try not to mention anything about my therapy
Thanks always for your honesty and objectivity 😘❤️
I found my therapist told me to distract myself with anxiety which was I feel a safety behaviour. But further on in my journey I realised there was a difference between getting on with my day and wallowing in anxiety. It was something I had to work out myself and part of the healing.
There are very few therapists (in my personal experience in NZ) that seem to "specialize" in anxiety. Again in my experience, there really is only "this way" that REALLY works and unless the therapist has themselves experienced anxiety they really arent that "experienced", rather, they are professionally qualified and trained to treat. Very difficult to text book your advice out of something you haven't personally experienced in this instance. Certainly they usually are very compassionate and validating, but that tends to have the outcome of enabling. In saying that, I imagine a fair chunk of therapists in some way are drawn to the role of therapist for some personal mental health reasons, be it their own or from maybe living with a loved one with mental health issues. BUT, there are so many different mental health issues, it doesn't necessarily mean the therapist has "this particular experience". From what I know now, I would want to ask if they've had personal experience with anxiety. Don't know if that's appropriate to ask or not, but I need the right person for the job I'm paying them for..
Well said Drew! As always Love you Big Guy!
Dear Drew, the thing is that, for most of us, I can say it with no hesitation, you’re an authority on the topic. And, I unconsciously/ I can talk about me, is that I feel protected, understood, motivated…but you’re completely right you’re not our therapist and more over, you don’t know our personal history , I will try not to mention anything about my therapy
Thanks always for your honesty and objectivity 😘❤️