To think that people overuse therapy as a solution for every problem?

I listened to a really good podcast recently about some psycho therapist who convinced clients of abuse that didn't happen. There was incredibly abusive, coercive behaviour alongside it.

I was wondering OP if you're thinking about what seems to be a huge increase in adult children going NC with their parents. I've read a few articles talking about this. You can bet your bottom dollar this isn't a fad but rather a vast swathe of parents really have been emotionally abusive, refuse to acknowledged any of it, and now with greater access to information and therapy ( privately if you can afford), we know better.

There will always be some problem with this though as I understand almost anyone can set themselves up in private practice - which is very concerning.

This is such a weird post. I imagine there are more people NOT in therapy that should be, than the other way around!

As somebody that watches the movies a lot I noticed how many times Americans would go to therapy and growing up in the uk never knew anyone that had or that had told me. So I would say quite the opposite us in Britain prob don’t go enough. Yes it’s getting more popular but for some of us that prob do need it you don’t get it so maybe for rich people yes but on the whole I would say we need more

The thing is, smaller challenges on a background of trauma, ACEs, abuse etc can seem/be insurmountable. Therapy can help deal with that background, and by extension, the smaller challenges will be just that. A small challenge.

Of course there are other tools, and people should do whatever works for them and keep trying if they need help. Even if it is for a "bad week " at work.

Thank you. I've had a stint of therapy and I've got ongoing GP care and I'm extremely grateful to have family support too. I know I'm really lucky on that front.

Because therapy is not a "solution " or a "fix" in any context.

It's about protecting your resilience and small things can build up and wear that down over time. Giving yourself space in the midst of the business of live to process things that are happening and to really hear yourself think and reflect on that. People do this in different ways, for some it might be art or walking etc but for some people it's about being heard by another person who they can trust to accept them as they are.

I'm so sorry you're experiencing this. I agree work related stress can be very traumatic. I hope you're getting some support now 💐

goodness, indeed? that is so harsh
I come from a long line of very devoted families to their own, no therapy for love

My ultimate goal for my clients is that they learn to trust their inner resilience.

Who are you to say what a small challenge is for someone?

Genuinely, please?

You mentioned work related stress in earlier post.

I've spent most of the last 12 months off for work related stress, when most of my colleagues coped fine. Do you know what facing the stress without therapy gave me? PTSD. Actual flashbacks, nightmares, insomnia, anxiety, panicky PTSD. So, facing things without the necessarily skills or toolkits doesn't build resilience. It creates trauma because it breaks down resilience.

I'm positive for many people they'd be able to shrug off the things that caused my stress easily, because they may naturally have adapted and developed the tools to manage the situation that I haven't. The event that catalysed everything for me was a phone call.

You seem to be very narrow minded when it comes to the impact of the struggles people face. It could be a singular or series of small events, that have caused a death by a thousand papercuts situation.

You should focus more on why you don't think it's appropriate to reach out for help before a problem spirals into something unmanageable, that why other people have found the strength to reach out for help for things that could be perceived as insignificant by those externally.

This case was many years ago and like medical treatment knowledge about trauma has moved on based on research. It used to be believed that a detailed debrief immediately after a traumatic event would be therapeutic. This is no longer the approach taken as it was found to retraumatise.

It is not a general argument against all kinds of therapy.

Do you ever consider that therapy builds resilience and more self reliance for future issues? And if one is unable to build any self reliance from an earlier bout of therapy, wouldn’t it be fair to assume that individual would tend not to be successful in developing those tools independently anyway? Therefore what’s the difference?

I started couples therapy about 6 months ago because things were fairly shit in my marriage. Prior to this I would have said I didn’t need therapy at all. I’m a successful professional - happy home, 20 yr marriage, great kids. I felt like you that people could just work stuff out on their own… Seeing our therapist has been incredibly eye opening. I’ve learned so much about myself. I’ve made so many changes in the way I approach things and I’ve learned to be so much kinder to myself. Our therapist has changed my life in six months and I feel like we’re barely scratched the surface. I am lucky we can afford to see her and I think going to her is one of the best things I’ve ever done. So actually I think everyone should go to therapy - because life is hard - I’m privileged to be able to afford this luxury.

The running to therapy idea wouldn't be facilitated on the NHS. So if someone were to run to a therapist so to speak with each problem, then they're paying at least £45-50 for the pleasure.

If that is how it's being used, it's no big deal really if someone is paying for a service.

What is really happening however, is more likely that someone has had a lifetime of issues they've had thrust upon them which has impacted how they have grown into adults. That includes self soothing, resilience, all sorts of problems that again seem minor but are rooted in something very significant.

I think you're missing the point or you're slightly in denial regards the true impact of what people, maybe yourself, have been subject to in their lives, probably formative years mainly.

I'm a therapist. I have a whole drawer full of cards and letters from clients who I have helped along their journey. Therapy is hard. I have the utmost respect and admiration for those who come and work with such determination.

@SnugOtter still waiting for a concrete example of people going to therapy for every life bump.

Where's your evidence that people just use therapy for every life bump? That's not the experience from the actual therapists on here.

I think therapy is a tool.
Not everyone has been raised with the tools they need to deal with life and therapy gives them a tool kit.
I'm a huge advocate of relationship therapy. It's saved my marriage twice as we had individual therapy when young to work out what we wanted from a relationship then joint counselling to gives us the tools to communicate better and be happier.

My parents thought just like you. They just dumped all their issues onto their children. Their friends would have said they were happy too. Because they didn't see the screaming and hitting at home. Hence my years of therapy.

Completely as a result in my view I have two very well adjusted adult children.

Agorophobia is a very severe issue in some cases. It can be very deep rooted. No-one is saying psychotherapy works for everyone. Would you say though that a drug was useless if it only helped 80% of people? Also you probably know lots of people that have benefitted from therapy - they just haven't told you about it because of judgments like yours.

Therapy is a tool. The work is done outside the session more than inside of it. Lifestyle changes are often needed and therapy can support that.
Personally, ive been in therapy for a decade. In therapy dealing with all the shit people who need therapy, did to me. Emotional immaturity and an inability to regulate emotions is passed down to each generation, therapy can help stop that cycle. You can learn self awareness and how to regulate.
I’m in it because of child sexual exploitation and navigating my life after that and becoming estranged from family.

No, it wasn’t meant to be goady. Someone asked about the negative impact counselling can have and I replied about google but it looked abrupt on its own. I remembered that interview and thought it was an interesting read and one the poster might like to look up. Last time I try to be helpful, then!

What do you think the danger or problem is from ‘overusing’ therapy, OP?