Sometimes I feel like psychotherapy doesn't work. No, I'll start differently...
Specializing in working with eating disorders, I meet a variety of clients. Each or every one (yes, men suffer from eating disorders too!) has their own world of interests and habits, their own individuality. Among them are three women who have extraordinary smiles. They can be serious, exhausted or upset during a session. And then suddenly - bam ! And the whole face is transformed, as if illuminated from within.
One of the three has small, sharp teeth, like a squirrel. When she smiles or laughs, she changes completely, becomes even cuter.
Sometimes I think that psychotherapy doesn't work. This happens when a person comes and talks about his (really!) terrible life. Things happen in it that shouldn't happen to anyone - a living hell! And then I think: how can I help in this situation? The person lives in hell and destroys himself, tortures himself, trying to somehow cope with difficult emotions. And although it's hard for me too - I'm there, not trying to "fix" such a martyr. I listen. I contain what I can. I sincerely respond with what I have. Sometimes miracles happen in this place. Sometimes relief comes. And then the client and I can choose a goal, go towards it in small steps. Big ones don't work, because you can stumble along the way.
I really love it when therapy works and the clients' quality of life changes! Then the first of the therapeutic tasks to be realized are the following:
But peace with the body comes last, when attacks on it stop, changing to compassion and tenderness. Although everyone has relapses, that is, breakdowns. For example, when you go shopping and go into a fitting room with bad lighting. You look at yourself - horror, you need to lose weight! Then it passes.
Sometimes I hear from colleagues that it is desirable not to get too emotionally involved, otherwise I won't last long. But I am sure that when I stop being sincerely involved in therapy, I, as a specialist, will need to be thrown into the trash and sent to do something else. For example, pack something into boxes :)
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