Does therapy work for depression?

Question

I have depression, and a few weeks ago I went to see a therapist and I hated it. The woman didn't really understand what I was going through at all. Does therapy work? Has it worked for you? How?

Would my therapist be able to help me if I had kept going to sessions, or should I find another one?

Answer 1

ya

Answer 2

you have to really be open, and yeah it will work.  You have to let all of that emotion out.  Hang in there honey, it will be okay!

Answer 3

For depression, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy are recommended, but for some people, it helps in the early stages, but becomes "same old, same old" after a while, and loses effectiveness. See section 2, on depression, at ezy build, below: view page R first. A previous post follows:

THERAPISTS: It depends to a certain extent on what your tentative diagnosis is: people with Borderline Personality Disorder, for example, need to be challenged from time to time, by therapists using DBT. A good therapist will get you to examine the appropriateness of your actions, or thought patterns, and offer the occasional suggestion.

Some therapists, however, work from an "I know best" basis, and, even though they may actually do know best, their approach often isn't as conducive to progress as others, who take more of a middle position. On the other hand, there are those who try to be your friend, when what you really need is expert help. I suggest that you try at least 3 new therapists, and initially select one you feel most comfortable with, because a good degree of rapport (which takes time to build) can help a lot, with therapy.  

Closely examine the http://1-800-therapist.com/   website, and use the locators, in section 1, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris and phone book. Personally, I'd opt for a psychologist who believes in only recommending minimal necessary medication, if at all, because they don't issue prescriptions, so are considerably less likely to be involved with the rewards, and inducements offered by sales reps from "big pharma": the large drug companies, to psychiatrists (there are links to, or articles on how psychiatry has become corrupted by money from drug companies,  and "how doctors are being manipulated", in section 1: worth reading!      

      It's important to not only feel comfortable with your therapist, but also to know about their qualifications, and the type of therapy used (read section 1). Some people are in therapy for many years, and pay a small fortune in fees, so recognise that therapists may have a vested interest in keeping their patients coming back. It pays the rent, and permits them to feel that they are fulfilling a useful function in life.    

      For this reason, I believe that, unless there is a need for a specific type of therapy, such as Dialectical Behavio(u)ral Therapy, for Borderline Personality Disorder, or EMDR therapy, for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or ongoing support, in the case of people with bipolar disorder, who find they function best this way, it is a good idea to start out with a psychologist who uses Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy. It often can accomplish all it is capable of, in 6 months, and to fix that time limit in the first session. In that way, the therapist knows that there is only a limited window of opportuntiy to do what they can, and there is no unconscious motivation to attempt to draw things out.    

        

  If, at the end of that time, you believe you could benefit from a little more therapy, then you can extend it, but I'd advise the therapist a few weeks before the final session, in case they are considering taking on a new patient, leaving you "high, and dry" committed, and without options, except to find someone else. Learn to assess, and rate your therapist, after a while: sometimes it's better to move on, and find someone who you feel can help you more, but not if you've just reached an unpleasant part of the therapy, which part of you would rather avoid.  

Answer 4

I don't like therapy, no it doesn't cure depression. You need meds from your dr. Once you have depression, I don't think it ever really goes away. Can be controlled though.

Answer 5

it depends on you. i have seen some real winners out there, we should of switched chairs. i think it depends on the situation also. example my mom left me when i was 3, i am 40. how long am i going to talk about it. if you are wanting someone with professional advise on things going on in you life then find someone who you click with. it may take time, but they are out there. you can call ahead of time and ask to have the therapist call you back before the appt. tell him/her what you are searching for and if that is something they deal with. good luck  

Answer 6

Therapy works it just takes the right therapist. Although if you don't want help and you don't want to change then therapy won't help one bit.

Answer 7

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.  It's at least a good place to start.  I would try another therapist though, it seems that you and this one simply don't click.

However I also believe that it doesn't work for some people - I tried several different therapists over a span of about 10 years and it didn't do much for me, I just need medication for my anxiety and OCD.

Answer 8

Hating going to therapy means that there was not a good fit there. For therapy to work, you need to feel comfortable. This mean environmentally, physically, and emotionally. If you are not you should ask for a referral to someone else. If the therapist does not give you a referral, ask people you know, look in the phone book, ask the checker at the store, look on-line (google.com works, type in "therapist" or "counselor" and where you live), do what ever you can to get some names to call. Call and see if they are taking new clients, if they are set up an appointmet.

Before you go the next time ask yourself some questions. Do you have a gender prefferance, what about fees (do they bill your insurance, do you have to do that, are they on a sliding fee scale where you pay what you can based on income), location (are they close to where you live, work, or are you going to be driving for an hour to get there), availablity (is someone on-call, what times, can you get in if you are having a crisis), ask about canceling appointments (are you charged, how early do you need to call so you aren't charged, how easy is it to set up another time), do they give you homework, what do they expect out of you, what do you expect out of them? If there is something you are looking especially for make sure you ask about it.

You asked   "Does therapy work? Has it worked for you? How?"

I will admit I am extremely biased when I answer this. I would not be a therapist if I didn't think it helps. I have seen many people learn, grow, and leave therapy and have a life worth living.

If I look at "Has it worked for me?" I would have to say yes. I have been in therapy several times (yes therapists do need therapists at times). Even before I decided to go into therapy, I had seen a couple of therapists. I went to the first one being forced and wasted my time and money. Once I was open and ready to get some help, therapy literally saved my life.

How?

I had to work extremely hard. Therapy only works if you are willing to work. If you are not, don't go. Even in my clients now I ask them if they are willing to put forth effort. If not I talk to them about why they are coming, if they want to continue, and how can we work together to make it meaningful for them.

So, to summarize all of this, therapy will work if you want it to. You need to be comfortable with the therapist before you will get any where. If you work at it, you will be able to have a life worth living.

Best Wishes! ! !