A psychoanalytic Cogitation on Long-term psychotherapy and psychoanalysis

A passionate defense of Long-term psychotherapy and why it still has it's relevance in our current world of instantaneousness.
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[@allisonettwein788]

I used to see a therapist in the past and I've thought about seeing a therapist again but the main reason I don't want to is because I'm afraid of them making me feel guilty about things. A lot of the therapists where I live believe that sympathy is a bad thing, that everything is a choice, take responsibility, don't be a victim, that kind of thing and that makes me uncomfortable sharing things with a therapist who thinks like that. If I were to tell a therapist about how upset I am about the way my parents treated me in the past and they told me my parents actually were right for doing that, I deserved to be treated that way, don't be a victim, and that I should feel guilty about what happened, that would make me feel much worse, especially being told that from a professional. I do like the idea of having a friend though, and viewing the therapist as a friend but most therapists in my area only see patients for an hour a week so that's not much time to talk. I wish they had some kind of thing where therapists could just message or talk on the phone with patients when they're not seeing them in person since most therapists don't have enough time to talk to people for hours at a time in person. I'm guessing they probably don't think that's formal or professional enough.

[@talkingpsychology]

Thank you for sharing you experience . I understand how hard it is to find a therapist which is the 'right fit' and it's paramount to feel heared and secure enough to speak about one's deepest issues. A lot of people share your opinion on a 'friend-therapist' it sounds great on paper but it wouldn't 'work' because therapist aren't friends but people that help us think about ourselves, our relationships in deep and intense ways. In ways friendships can't. Also being friends with a patient would hinder their progress as they ( patient and therapist alike) wouldn't talk about some topics or feeling guilty if their did. And progress is also help by the frame/ boundaries of the therapy ( one hour a week, not doing calling the patient between sessions...) as it guarantees a space for both patient and therapist to think and take a step back. These rules might seem cold or uncaring but they protect both parties from spiralling into disaster we learnt this ( as psychotherapy developed in the early 1900) the hard way. To end on a positive note a good therapist will help patients navigate relationships to create and grow their own friendships. Hope this help and have great day/night.