OK another question. I have never gone to a therapist before, only a psychiatrist. I obsessed and worried myself for about a month on which therapist to choose. I came up with this cognitive behavioral therapist. I saw her last week and I have been more upset and anxious after seeing her than before. My question really is do Cognitive behavioral therapists usually believe in chemical imbalances or just changing our thinking pattern?. The reason I ask is because after listening to me for the first 10 minutes she made the comment that she does not think I have bipolar or borderline personality disorder. Am I being paranoid, should i give it another try or should I go with my gut feeling.
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Answers
(((Confused)))
CBT Therapists do try to get you to change your thought patterns yes, because many of our issues have been in our minds because of thought patterns that we have, and over time, those thought patterns interfere with our quality of life.
You do, of course, have the right to decide on which therapist you want to see...however, I wonder, if you have seen her only one time, could it be possible that you might get more out of her sessions next time?
Of course, also, your gut feeling speaks strong too...I can understand that.
Here are some good links from PC:
http://psychcentral.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump.cgi?ID=2431
http://psychcentral.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump.cgi?ID=3788
http://psychcentral.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump.cgi?ID=5541
http://psychcentral.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump.cgi?ID=3959
http://psychcentral.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump.cgi?ID=5544
http://psychcentral.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump.cgi?ID=5537
Hope these help!
Clyde has some good links there! Let us know if you need more information on this.
You can often speak with the therapist on the phone for a short chat, just to hear his/her voice and to get any sense of compatibility.
Don't let your common apprehension stop you from getting the help you want and need. ;)
good wishes!
drjean