Does that mean during one of your sessions, I can just let it all hang out?

Your penis? I suppose. I might think my diagnosis is wrong though.

Edited because @video_game_king is a jerk.

I am now confused. The first tense sounds hypothetical, but the second tense sounds like you were sizing my psyche up in the last thread.

Knowing my current situation, would you suggest therapy?

I has terbile typrins n gramars.

The better question is whether you want to start therapy or not? What I think isn't that important.

Do you enjoy being a therapist? Ever get tired of hearing other people's shit?

I enjoy it. At times I can feel overwhelmed, frustrated, exhausted and whatnot. But I think I would say that with every job. I went through a stretch early in my career where I really worried about my client's and it would fuck me up. Keep me up at night. Things like that. But I've gotten better at handling that.

If someone asks a question like that the answer usually is "yes".

No, not necessarily. Like I said before, people who should be in therapy are people who want to be in therapy. There's not like a certain level or time frame or whatever when therapy is the right thing to do or not. It all depends on the client.

Good answer.

It's a non-answer really. But it's the best one honestly. If you feel forced or if I just pronounce you therapy-worthy I'm just being blaming and shitty. And really what makes a good client for therapy is one who wants to be there because they will be more likely to work to improve themselves with the therapist rather then expecting the therapist to simply offer some solution that may or may not work.

If you don't mind me asking.

How old are you?

27.

I'm desperately trying to think of a question to ask, since you've gone to the trouble to write up another therapy FAQ..

Soooo... what's the strangest phobia you've ever encountered? Ever had to treat someone with a fear of doctors, otherwise known as someone with *google search* Iatrophobia?

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Also, have you ever recommended someone to read a book, or watch a movie--maybe even play a video game--to help with their condition? I suppose that may fall under 'homework', though. But merely suggesting a particular book I would imagine is relatively lax all the same.

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Oh, I've also seen you mention that you've wanted to start up your practise. Why is that? For more freedom to work the way you want, or as a way to help you feel like you've achieved something grander in life? To help validate your choice of career. And on that note, how would you describe your relationship with your parents?

...OK, that's not all a joke, I'm genuinely curious to know why you would want to run your own practise. I suppose that's sorta the next 'step' in your career ladder so to speak?

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Allllsooooooo, what's the longest time you've spent with one client?

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Aha, and finally, have you ever received any complaints for your service?

...OK, I'm done.

Awwww, thinking of question for ol'me.

Well, I haven't really seen any strange phobias yet. I've developed a fear of webmd and people using it though. Myself included. I haven't recommended a book or a game yet. Or anything else really. I don't think my clients would be receptive to that. I want to start my own practice for more freedom, for better pay, and for getting out of working with medicaid because I hate working with that busted ass system (it's a long story). I've got a good, healthy relationship with my parents by the way. I've spent nearly 3 hours with a client once. I have yet to hear a complaint either! So I'm either perfect or forgettable!

Alright I got a question and its probably going to sound very weird.

But have you ever had to deal with a patient. That was having unexplained paranormal experiences, and if so did you believe them?

...no?

Just curious...

I knew it, it's all about the cash, you vile snake oil salesman. The only true empathy you have is for Mr. George Washington.

Cheers for the blog again, too. The idea of pursuing this sorta of work was floating around my head at one time, but while that idea's past me now, I still have an interest in the general subject and it's great to read about it all from the inside.

Alright I'll bite Jason

How do you manage the stress for your own well being? And maybe more importantly turn therapist mode off at the end of the workday? I would think your work would be an easy to "take home with you" if you will, especially since conversation is a big part of what you do (unless I'm wrong?).

Something I've always marveled at therapists like yourself is how you guys seem to be able to function emotionally while continually dealing with a lot of other people's major problems, especially since I imagine you got into the field because you probably are an empathetic person.

I think your job would absolutely wreck me, I don't think I could emotionally disconnect enough from the patient's situation (whatever that may be).

For about the first half year of seeing clients I had a hard time not worrying about my clients and no being Mr. Therapist every where I went. It is still something that comes up. But I'm better at keeping things separate now. There's a few things I do. First, no matter how hard I try I can't make anyone change by the force of my own will. Clients need to meet me half way. And, in the end, the client is responsible for their own change. That keeps me from feeling guilty when things go poorly or don't move at all. Another thing I tell myself, because it is very true, is that when I get home from work there is nothing I can do that will fix a client's situation. The only influence I really have is in that hour-long session. So worrying at home only hurts me. It does nothing to help my client.

All that said it can be very hard to keep work and home segregated. But as I keep working it becomes easier and easier. Which is at times a little disconcerting because it tells me that I'm numbing to significant stressors and emotionally disconnecting from strong emotions. So I try to keep a balance so that I can be empathetic and caring during work and have my own personal life free of those stressors when I get home.

How do you feel about your job title basically being 'The Rapist'

Disinterested.

@jasonr86: That is a much better answer than "aroused"

Serious question now, do you find your age impacts how you feel when dealing with particular patients? Does it impact how they look at you, or who you attract as patients in the first place?

That sounds reasonable, but I bet that's a lot harder to actually do than you are making it sound.

Yeah I bet that is disconcerting to feel a little numb, but I don't see what choice you really have. The alternative is likely completely unworkable over the long term and as you pointed out unproductive for both parties involved.

Sounds to me you're walking a neverending tightrope between getting sucked in or getting jaded. I don't envy you one bit, but fwiw you have my respect for doing it.

Nice thread. Not sure if I have a specific question but I went through therapy for something like 9 years, with a 1 year break when I moved overseas.

As you said earlier in the thread, people who want to be in therapy should be, if not it would be hard. Despite my going every two weeks for so long, I had to hit rock bottom, badly, before I could actually accept the help I was offered for so long. That's when the real work progressed rapidly. For me anyway! But I digress, very interesting read!

In my job we as a staff dictate who works with what client based off of capabilities, personality, and the client's wishes. My age has effected a few clients. I thought it would effect the elderly but more often then not parents think that I don't know what I'm talking about because I'm younger. It doesn't bother me personally. I'll address it in therapy and if the clients still have a problem with working with a younger person then we can initiate a transfer to a new therapist.

Thanks man.

I'm glad you've seen success. It's really hard work to look back at yourself and make changes so you should be very proud.

I have two questions;

Question One: How many times during the typical work day do you find yourself wishing that a client would just shut the fuck up?

Question Two - a follow-up: How many times a day do you verbalize that sentiment?

1: It kind of depends on my mood. Which I try to keep fairly consistent with each session. It also sort of depends on the client. Lately not often. But I'd be lying if I said never.

2: I never have and I never will (or I shouldn't). People talking to me is kind of the point and even if the words coming at me are designed to hurt me that's still an important part of therapy. So I'll take 'talking too much' over 'not talking at all' any day.

That was true for me as well. Therapy requires the patient be receptive to it, and have hope to make improvements from it, for it to be most effective. Or effective at all, maybe. If I had done CBT at a time when I didn't think I needed it, I probably would have tuned out the whole thing and stopped going after a session or two.

Because I'm self important and everything revolves around me:

Have you had any clients(do you refer to them as clients or patients? I've noticed it differs from person to person..) come out as believing they may be transgendered or knowing that they are? If not, have you considered how you might react or what you might tell someone if or when that happens?

@artelinarose:

I say 'clients' because I think it subtly hints at the idea of the professional relationship being a partnership and not a dictatorship.

I haven't had any transgender clients yet but I've done assessments for transgender clients.

Did your schooling/training ever lead to you diagnosing yourself or turning into a case of "doctor, heal thyself"?

@artelinarose:

We had a term in undergrad called 'medical student syndrome' where, with every disorder taught, students either thought they, or every one they knew, had that disorder. Recently though I haven't thought that way.

Seems like the right place to ask, since I've been pondering this lately. Are most sociopaths aware of their own condition? If anyone knows or find themselves qualified enough to take a guess, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

@ninessc2:

I don't really use the term 'sociopath' and can't really think of what it would refer to. But most people, no matter what issues they might have, are aware of not only their own uniqueness but also people's reactions to them.

I admire how levelheaded you seem to be. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

@rick_fingers:

Thanks man. And it's no problem.

I think the only time that one would probably use that term "appropriately" is when it is applied to criminals who are also diagnosed with anti-social personality disorder, right?

I'm not a therapist btw...still have to take my board exam. I graduated with a BS in OT. Also if you don't mind me asking are you a psychiatrist? Wasn't able to read you first blog so I'm not sure but I'm just guessing since you made an implication that you were a medical student in one of the comments.

P.S. Also the health system at the moment is busted so I do kinda understand your sentiment but I'm not incredibly knowledgeable with how it all works ATM. Also if you do start a private practice, you would still need to be connected to or be part of an ACO right?

@gaspower:

I didn't really answer that question very well. Sociopath is a bit of an archaic term. It's not in the DSM (basically the US' mental health bible) and is not something I can diagnose. It's in the same category as lunatic as in its a commonly known term but not one professionals really use legitimately.

I'm not a psychiatrist. I'm a psychotherapist. When people go into private practice they are usually on the board of a health insurance group (think Blue Cross or places like that). They may work with Medicaid or Medicare but most of their clients have private insurance. At my agency we see people who have Medicaid and through a sliding fee pay scale.

@jasonr86: Yeah, I'm familiar with DSM. DSM V wasn't out yet when I was doing my psych subjects back in college so I'm just more familiar with DSM IV TR and we used Kaplan as one of our textbooks.

Thanks for sharing, sir. It's great seeing a professional who is in the mental health field who is also in GB. I might ask you some questions from time to time if you don't mind. Hahaha! Also good luck with being able to start your own practice some time in the future. :)

@jasonr86: Thanks mate!

@herbiebug: I went through CBT as well, as part of my therapy. And yep, I completely understand what you are saying. One has to be receptive to that type of thing for it to help.

Truth be told, I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder at 15. I dropped out of school, not to make light of the situation, but my god. Ultima Online saved me, and I haven't been able to really play any MMO since. That was a fucking fantastic game!