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Is Therapy Right for Me?

October 28, 2015 By Suzanne Jones

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Is Therapy the Right Choice?

iStock_000023122519_ExtraSmallWe all have our stereotypes of therapy, from Woody Allen-style daily psychoanalysis to Saturday Night Life spoofs of therapists parroting back everything a clients says. I have clients tell me they have had many frustrating experiences with therapy and therapists. So, what should you expect when you go to a therapist? And for that matter, why not save your money and just talk to a trusted friend or family member? Or maybe read a book? Or pray and trust God to work it all out? All of those things are reasonable places to start, but often they aren’t enough.

Isn’t Faith Enough?

Consider that God uses people and things to care for his people. When I worked in a psychiatric facility as a psych nurse, I often spoke to people who felt that relying on medicine or therapy or doctors to maintain their mental health showed a lack of faith. They felt guilty for receiving the help they desperately needed. One woman, a chronic schizophrenic, stopped taking her medicine and decided to “just trust Jesus” because she had been advised to do so by well-meaning Christians. It her case, she has a disease of the brain, and telling her to stop her medication and trust Jesus would be analogous to telling a diabetic to stop taking insulin. Both could have deadly consequences! I sat with her while she wept and spoke of her confusion. I tried to help her see that God was taking care of her through her doctors and nurses and therapists and medication. She didn’t have to choose between her faith and appropriate, responsible mental-health care.

Therapy versus Medicine

Many people have misgivings about taking medicine, which is understandable. They are expensive, they often have serious side effects, and they change the brain. Wouldn’t it be better to do something “natural”? It’s interesting that research is now showing us that talk-therapy can also change the brain. The brain is much more flexible and adaptable than previously thought. Many exciting research studies comparing the use of medicine and talk-therapy have shown identical changes in affected portions of the brain. So how do I know if I should just take the medicine my doctor is prescribing or go to therapy or both? This is a really important question. When dealing with disorders that result from  abnormalities in the brain, such as schizophrenia, talk-therapy alone won’t be enough. People with bipolar disorder will almost always need to be under the care of someone who can prescribe and closely monitor their medications. But that isn’t to say they should forget about therapy. Both are necessary and beneficial. People who have tried talk-therapy and find their depression just isn’t lifting also need to seriously consider medication. Talking with a therapist can be very helpful when trying to determine what course should be taken.

The Role of the Therapist

Therapists fill many roles as they work with their clients. First, they often offer comfort and validation to people who are hurting and need a safe place to talk. Sometimes therapists advise and educate their clients. This is an important thing to balance, because it is not the therapist’s job to assume responsibility and make decisions for the clients.   Therapists mirror back to clients what they see. Clients, especially in long term therapy, tend to act out in session what they do in “real life.” It is a rare opportunity to get honest feedback from a relatively neutral party. A therapist might say,” I notice in here you tend to … Is that what happens at home?” Clients who want to grow and change will welcome the feedback and listen carefully to coaching tips on how to handle things more effectively. A therapist isn’t there to be a friend and tell you what you want to hear. Bottom line, a good therapist validates when appropriate, keeps the focus on the client, tells you the truth, helps you sort and prioritize the issues that trouble you, teaches you skills, and coaches you in more effective ways to handle life. Therapy is an investment.  It’s a lot of work and it takes time. Worthwhile things usually do.

____________________________________________________________

Jones, Suzanne Headshot Image II 2013Suzanne Jones, BSN, MA, LPC, NCC

You may contact me at: [email protected]        (225) 278-3541

Or look for other articles and resources @ www.crossroadcounselor.com

 

 

 

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Filed Under: Christian Living Tagged With: change, counseling, therapy

About Suzanne Jones

Suzanne is a board certified Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and a Licensed Professional Counselor. After working several years as a nurse, she decided to pursue counseling. She earned her MA in counseling from Louisiana State University. After counseling for ten years, she earned her MS in Nursing from the University of South Alabama, to augment her practice. Her combination of credentials underscores her belief that medications may be necessary at times, but, the real work of change happens in therapy. Her training and personal philosophy are holistic, considering the emotional, physical, social, spiritual, and even academic/career concerns of her clients.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sebestyen says

    April 6, 2013 at 11:56 pm

    Thanks for the good writeup. It actually was a entertainment account it.

  2. Terrell says

    March 18, 2014 at 11:27 am

    Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is
    an extremely well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it
    and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post.
    I will certainly comeback.

    • Suzanne Jones says

      March 23, 2014 at 7:42 pm

      Thanks for joining us Terrell! Glad you enjoyed the article.
      Best,
      Suzanne

  3. Robert Smith says

    February 15, 2016 at 2:40 am

    Ms. Jones:
    Thank you for this posting. I am a saved and sanctified Christian being treated for schizoaffective disorder. At first I was nervous about medicating and what the bible teaches about the healing powers of Jesus. After much prayer and discussion with my pastor, God gave me a revelation. Yes, He is the great physician but He has placed professionals here on earth to help those in need. God lead me to a Christian psychiatrist and the rest has been fabulous. I am medicated but it through God’s grace and healing that I have been free of any major setbacks for seven years.

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