What are psychologists good for?

[Butters]

I went to a psychologist this year and the first two times were fine because I was having some issues. But the last session was just poor. It felt like I was making progress and he was just projecting his own limiting beliefs upon me. I won't go there again. 

I also felt that he believed his methods were the best methods but I prefer to learn from a variaty of different schools. His method was cognitive behavioral therapy (cbt). It felt very limited compared to all the things I know from personal development. 

My question is: When is it recommended to see a phycologist? Is it for serious mental health issues only? What about adhd for example? When is coaching or self help methods better? 

In other words: who should definitely see a psych and who should avoid seeing one? 

[puporing]

They're not that different from you but if you're lucky to find one that's grown let's say more than the general population then you might learn some stuff from them, but then there'll be a time you still have to say goodbye. Just watch for master manipulators coz those are also around and can do some hefty damage if they misuse their power. I would say you might outgrow psychologists pretty quickly if you are also awakening, but they can help you remove some of the blocks to it. Can also just be a good sounding board someone not entangled in your personal life.

Edited September 21, 2023 by puporing

[mostly harmless]

As in other professions, there is quite a range of IQ and skills/knowledge among psychologists.

Here's how that is in Germany: The better universities require applicants to have better grades in their final school certificate. 

However, participants who have the same grades but from a lower level type of certificate, might be accepted just the same depending on the federal state where the university is. 

People who have already finished a master in a different academic course  do not have to pass any minimum score on their school certificate.

People who do not have the required grades but have been in any kind of job for many years also don't have to pass minimum requirements.

People who don't pass minimums of better universities can apply at a provincial less in demand university.

People who don't pass any minimum can study psychology at a remote university. They still get the degree and can legally go on with a therapist education (that is an additional education after university, just master in psychology is not enough to be a therapist).

 

Overall, the average IQ level among psychology students where I went was significantly higher than average. But there where quite a few average IQ people. And some had an average IQ but qualified as idiots (not only IQ based but mental models, personality, ethics...).

 

Long story short: Not all psychologists are equally good at their job. And you have different methods for different issues. CBT is good for OCD.

 

[Guest Bazooka Jesus]

In this day and age, there are TONS of therapeutic healing modalities that you can choose from... which is both a blessing and a curse, since it makes it a bit difficult to decide which one is best suited for you. Personally, I think that classic talk therapy might be the least effective form of therapy since it usually takes a pretty long time to achieve tangible results with it.

So my advice would be to first do some research and get a good overview over all the different types of therapies that are available to you and then pick the one that you feel most drawn to; if in doubt, just go with your gut feeling.

[Jacob Morres]

I think generally therapists are for emotional issues. Like you need emotional support, or need to learn some tools, you have a specific mental health condition or need insight into something 

Some say that therapy is for those who are struggling and trying to get baseline

And others say coaching is for people who have more personal development type issues. Like career, self actualization work, skill development, mindfulness 

 

Though I'm sure even if you don't have a tough mental health issue you're trying to work out therapy can be useful to. I know therapy could even be used for regular development for mastering your emotions. 

 

There's also therapists who also do life coaching work. Maybe that suits your style 

 

I also wanna note that sometimes finding a good fit takes time. I prefer now to do a ton of discovery calls and see which one resonates with me most beforehand

 

What are you looking for from therapy exactly? That might be a good place to start 

Edited September 27, 2023 by Jacob Morres

[SeaMonster]

On 9/20/2023 at 5:00 PM, Butters said:

In other words: who should definitely see a psych and who should avoid seeing one? 

Therapy is what you make of it, even if the therapist is mediocre.

The problem with self-help is that everyone has blindspots.  Short of certain psychedelics that can give you insight into them, therapy is the next best thing.  That's what you want to be looking for.  It's "not knowing what you don't know" that is the real problem.

Most people just project that shit and don't even want to deal with it.  They are in their own mental-emotional bubble and are coping in unhealthy ways.  This is reflected in their shitty personal habits, which are rationalized to the hilt.

If you are really bent on self-help, my suggestion would be to ruthlessly eliminate all negative habits (porn, video games, alcohol, etc.) and adopt good ones in their place.  

The name of the game is BRAIN PLASTICITY.