Therapy?

blondie

If you think you need it. Just pick out the therapist carefully.

Elsewhere

I went into therapy too... but as Blondie said, finding a good one is important. The guy I went to was not fluent in english and kept asking: "So, do - you - feel - down - in - the - dumps?"

Aude_Sapere

works for me.

I need some help re-parenting myself. therapy really helps me alot.

Plus, she has done much work with witnesses.

Dustin

I definitely think I could use some. I'm just trying to find the right one.

seven006

Are you offering some or are you just wondering if you spelt it right?

seeitallclearlynow

Are you offering some or are you just wondering if you spelt it right?

That was cute! But seriously peggy, it seems that the right therapist can really be helpful to many people (if you're still interested in your thread!)

steve2

Peggy I think you have raised a really good question.

Since leaving the JWs in 1982, I commenced my university education, but continued to believe that to seek "therapy" would imply I was somehow mentally unwell. The stigma was enough to control me, yet I also knew underneath it all that I would be capable of leading a fuller life if I resolved issues from my JW past. As my studies at university progressed, and I was able to challenge some of my assumptions about what it meant to "go into" psychotherapy, I began to see the value of sensibly working through some of the big issues in my life.

I was fortunate to find a psychotherapist who showed unconditional positive regard, yet at the same time, empthatically confronted me about those long-held assumptions I clung to about how life "should" be lived. This was focused, goal-oriented, time-limited psychotherapy and the therapist respected my religious ambivalence and was open to feedback about how my JW background had affected me - both the positive and negative experiences. He allowed me to tell my "story".

It is now just over five years since I completed my PhD in psychology and my diploma in clinical psychology.I am now a registered clinical psychologist working for the local hospital with a clientele consisting of highly suicidal clients. Confidentiality prevents me from giving information regarding the specific religious denominations of clients and patients. Suffice to say that no religious organisation is able to say that its members are immune to psychological problems. Clients come from all walks of life, including all religions and cults.

From my work, clients who make the most progress are those who have a capacity to rationally think through issues for themselves. For many clients, it is a long hard journey, but with good therapeutic models (e.g., Leslie Greenberg's emotion-focussed therapy or Jeffrey Young's schema therapy), recovery and learning to live life more fully are frequent outcomes. (Both Greenberg and Young have excellent websites. Another therapeutic approach is provided by Babette Rothschild who specialises in treating complex post-traumatic stress disorder - an array of life problems that stem from abusive backgrounds. Her approach is especially relevant to ex-JWs who remain traumatised by their involvement in the Watchtower.)

Looking back on my own journey since leaving the Watchtower, I have become a strong advocate of people taking steps to resolve the pain and hurt of the past and also acquire the skills to take more personal responsibility for how they live their lives. Lastly, and very importantly, I do not wish to imply that everyone who leaves the Watchtower needs psychotherapy. On the other hand, I have observed people who have left strict religions, including the JWs, who appear unable to deal with the strong emotions and who settle for far less than they're capable of achieving in their lives.

Good, supportive, focused - and time limited - psychotherapy may be just what they need to resolve the pain and find a more helpful path through their lives.

larc

Steve2, that was a very intersting post. Like you, I have a PhD in psychology, mine is in organizational psych, with a minor in clinical. I was raised as a Witness, and taught not to go to college. After a year after high school, after saving my money, I talked my mother into letting me go to college. After two years, I had to go back to work, but I eventually got my degrees. I am go glad I did.

candidlynuts

i was seeing a therapist for a while before my car died. she really helped a lot. especially my time perception, things that had happened years ago still affected me as if it were yesterday.

my best therapy though was moving in with people who are loving , caring and tolerant of my many faults, they understand i'm a social misfit never having had a social life, ignorant of the very culture and politics of the country i live in my honey calls me wolf woman sometimes ( teases me that i was raised by wolves lol)

a mixture of professional help and having loving friends helped me. good luck to any who are considering therapy! hugs

Therapy?

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