Posted by simcha on August 26, 2010, at 18:00:39
In reply to Re: Is It Depression or Bipolar? » simcha, posted by ed_uk2010 on August 26, 2010, at 16:41:57
> >(ok, so I came out again)
>
> Lol :) What type of psychotherapy do you provide?
>Currently I work with 18-25 year old homeless youth. I see people suffering from Bipolar, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Personality Disorders, Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and lots of PTSD plus a host of a lot of other things.
I'm more of a relational psychotherapist. I use the psychotherapeutic relationship in order to help guide people in finding that which is within themselves that may help them to heal from whatever it is that is holding them back. Like most psychotherapists I use many different techniques. I am well-versed in mindfulness techniques, narrative therapy, sand tray, psychodynamic theory, CBT, and in varying techniques used to treat trauma. I believe in Carl Rogers's idea that I am to hold the people who work with me with "unconditional positive regard."
Also I have a specialty in transpersonal psychology. That means that I have a spiritual path (not religious) and I recognize the important role that spirituality (the inter-connected-ness of human beings and the possibility that there may be something greater than us to which we are connected also) plays. Also, I am trained in somatic techniques related to body tracking and breath work. I greatly revere Jung's work and I am well-trained in working with dreams, symbolism, and archetypes. I'm more of a holistic psychotherapist as you have probably guessed.
>Do you find it problematic as a psychotherapist to receive psychotherapy?
>Yes, sometimes. I have to get out of my own way when I'm receiving psychotherapy. I can over-analyze my own issues and try to "therapize" the psychotherapist who works with me. Also since I'm a provider, I have to get past the "I think I've seen it all and I know what you're doing" attitude and thoughts I can have while being a client. Also I can omit things that would be useful for the psychotherapist to know simply because I'm afraid of what the psychotherapist may do/think/say/diagnose, etc. So, I really have to humble (become teachable) myself when I'm a client.
> >However, I do wonder sometimes if the mental health practitioners may be seeing something I haven't seen in myself.
>
> I think they may be looking for something that isn't there.Perhaps. Or perhaps not. When I'm depressed I get agitated very easily. Often I have "angry depression" or "agitated depression." I do wonder sometimes if this is simply part of my own brand of depression or if it might be slight hypomania. Again, I try to get out of my own way when working with another mental health professional from whom I'm receiving services.
poster:simcha
thread:959557
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100821/msgs/960042.html