Have you "gotten help" for emotional issues and it made you worse or did nothing?

I had two therapists with whom I was re-enacting my parental issues with – and neither one caught it. I wasted a few thousand dollars before I realized the larger dynamic of what was happening and chose my next therapist differently, one who was able to actually help me.

@aprilsimnel I’m happy you found the right one! Sorry about the cash loss, though.

I’ve never had any serious emotional issues, but I went to therapy for a few years during a particularly tumultuous time in my life, and it was enormously helpful to me.

I’ve had good and bad experiences with therapists. I once had a therapist complain to me that she thought I didn’t like her. I began to wonder who needed the therapy.

After my mom died I went to a counselor. It helped to be able to talk to someone while I felt like my life was falling apart.

I honestly think it depends on what a persons situation is like and what the therapist is like. It seems to be hit and miss with therapists.

I had mostly bad experiences with my counselors. There was one counselor I had when I was eight. I went to see her because my older brother was physically and emotionally abusing me. I had a breakdown where I couldn’t sleep and cried and would call my Aunt and grandma at three or four in the morning every night. I tried grabbing knives to stab myself and I thought I was going to die. My brother still scares me to this day, but my counselor back then truly helped me. She told me that nothing on this planet can hurt me, unless I give it the power to. She also made me feel good about myself. When I went to her office it was calming. There were toys, music, happy colours, and a magic wand that she gave me. To wish away my fears. That was the only counselor I ever truly liked and that helped me.

I found a good one…..who didnt do insurance who made me a stronger person. and i miss him….economy. :(

You’ve gotta shop around for therapist just like everything else….however, it is also important to bring up concerns to the therapist while in session- it OFTEN gets worse before getting better. The dissonance created is often the product of good therapeutic work and can be a catalyst for change.

I can’t say enough good things about nurse practitioners in mental health and else where. They LISTEN to you help you learn about yourself and what you are experiencing. I’ve never had one that didn’t refer me to a Dr., when appropriate. They bring all the good things from nursing and add advance education and and capabilities. They advocate for patients. They’re holistic…...can’t say enough. I try to have one as my primary; they’re wonderful.

I’ve had both good and bad experiences. A few years ago I tried therapy for depression, and it made me feel much worse. More recently I’ve seen a therapist for gender issues and that was good, but that wasn’t really to make me “feel beter”, it was to assess me for whether I can proceed to have reassignment treatment.

I have also had good and bad experiences. I finally found an experienced psychiatrist, (He’s 70 years old) who after just listening for a few sessions, was able to guide me in the right direction, so I could make my own decisions. He didn’t give me advice, like other therapists, he advised me. Does that make sense? I would advise you to shop around to find some one you ‘feel’ comfortable with. Hope that helps.