Once upon a time, I had a full-time job with paid health benefits, including 20 therapy sessions a year through the HMO. I always took advantage of the sessions, even though the therapists were sometimes odd or barely competent; I don't remember any breakthroughs but it was good for the soul to vent about what was bothering me in those days.
But now? I hardly ever hear anyone talk about counseling or therapy to help them with challenges in life. It seems so much more specialized now, targeted more for handling substance abuse. I do know people who take antidepressants but they rarely seem to mention going to counseling for support.
I think a lot of people seek support and sympathy online now rather than sitting down with someone in an office to talk. And again, it seems that type of counselor isn't that easy to find anymore unless there's a crisis of some kind.
I went through a rough patch recently and thought about reaching out. I asked around, people suggested twelve-step/support groups, book clubs, and "church groups." Nobody seemed to know of any therapists to recommend.
Finally I contacted an astrologer whose blog I like and had a phone reading. We talked, it was helpful.
So are the days of lying on the couch over, when a la Woody Allen you could free-associate, open up about your inhibitions and heal your demons? What do you think, and if not where do you find people turn instead when they need some psychic healing?
But now? I hardly ever hear anyone talk about counseling or therapy to help them with challenges in life. It seems so much more specialized now, targeted more for handling substance abuse. I do know people who take antidepressants but they rarely seem to mention going to counseling for support.
I think a lot of people seek support and sympathy online now rather than sitting down with someone in an office to talk. And again, it seems that type of counselor isn't that easy to find anymore unless there's a crisis of some kind.
I went through a rough patch recently and thought about reaching out. I asked around, people suggested twelve-step/support groups, book clubs, and "church groups." Nobody seemed to know of any therapists to recommend.
Finally I contacted an astrologer whose blog I like and had a phone reading. We talked, it was helpful.
So are the days of lying on the couch over, when a la Woody Allen you could free-associate, open up about your inhibitions and heal your demons? What do you think, and if not where do you find people turn instead when they need some psychic healing?
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