Does therapy work?

[vellichoria]

Therapy these days seems to be offered for all sorts of concerns and issues that people have but I am wondering if it actually works in resolving fundamental issues for anyone and addressing the root causes or is it just a fad we are going through?

Well, and the amount of effort put in by the client, too. If you do it right, it's brutally hard work in my experience, and involves being very honest with yourself, and often confronting really difficult stuff.

I’ve had 12 sessions of therapy for attachment issues which had permeated into most aspects of my life. When I say therapy has been transformative I’m not exaggerating.

There is a big but though - it depends what it is for, where you are in your life and how willing you are to work and reflect. All of these things aligned for me and it didn’t take much for me to unlock a part of my brain that had tried to bury away my past, and it was relatively straightforward from there.

I would also add that getting the right therapist makes a huge difference. In most cases a clinical psychologist is your best bet, and don’t be afraid to change if you feel like there is no connection.

Good luck!

According to whom, though?

Who else is supposed to do the work? It’s like physio - you’re given the tools for improvement, but at the end of the day it’s your brain, no one else can go in there and “fix” it

I’ve always wondered how the outcomes of various forms of therapy are measured, how many people are helped by it and how many harmed.

Depends on the type of therapy and what you want to achieve.

All NICE guidance is available online for anyone to read, so have a look. NICE don't recommend anything without a solid evidence base.

Some therapies (notably CBT) only work if the individual engages fully in it.

I’m doing CBT and it’s hard work. I’m facing past traumas and it’s bringing all sorts up - I’m having vivid dreams about things from years ago and palpitations.

BUT I have had a few lightbulb moments which really have given me so much clarity and acceptance.

It’s tough so you have be in a relatively stable period in your life.

in sure there are other types of therapy for immediate issues such as trauma and illness, or emotional strife eg counselling etc.

Psychotherapy is also a good option but again I wouldn’t recommend it while you are in the throes of something.

And sometimes physio doesn’t work, of course.

according to whom this thread, for starters?

It works if you are in the right mindframe to be able to engage with it and use the techniques you learn.

It's not a passive process, you need to actually work at it, and it can be mentally exhausting.

There were times in my life when it didn't work as I just wasn't mentally capable of doing it. Then later when I was capable, it did work and I've been mentally healthy (aside from a few natural reactions to horrible things happening to me) since then.

Sometimes you need to try different therapists, sometimes you need to try different therapy types, sometimes you need to shelve it for a while and come back later. This sometimes gives the impression that it doesn't work, but it doesn't mean to give up.

Depends on the type of therapy you have, how long it lasts, how much / well you engage with it, and how well you and the therapist 'click'.
I had long term therapy (2 1/2 years) on the NHS just over ten years ago and it absolutely worked. Hardest thing I've ever done, but also the best. Therapist was experienced, consistent, gentle when necessary and tough when necessary. It was so good; I realised that at the time and in hindsight that's proved true. A lot depends on the therapist and the sort of therapy you're having, but to a certain extent, you also get out what you put in. It's can be tricky, because when something doesn't quite 'click' with it, it can be unhelpful, but when it works well it can be amazing.

We were told something similar by the consultant psychiatrist when I was first diagnosed but specifically applied to anorexia. That one third will make a full recovery, one third will live with anorexia all their life and the other third will sadly die.

It didn't for me.

Ive had CBT (and whole package of other interventions) for anorexia about 20years ago and that worked on the issue
ive had psychoanalysis for the past 6 years and it has really helped me, things have fundamentally changed, i am not the same person i was 6 years ago and i am more happy, more satisfied with my life than i have ever been i also have much better relationships with people :) but it is a financial and a time commitment. Honestly if i think about my life now and my life back then, it is totally worth it!

It can work. The mistake people make is thinking it's a magic cure all that will always work for all people. You can't go to one session with one therapist and be cured.

Therapy can be absolutely transformative but the therapist-client relationship really can make or break it. Someone can be very highly trained or skilled but they just aren't the right fit for you. If you're not the right fit, move on and try a different therapist, rather than saying 'Therapy doesn't work!'

I'm trained in CBT (alongside other therapies) and maybe 20% of clients find it highly effective but I also see a great many clients who were actively put off therapy by it. The NHS likes it because it's all about measurable outcomes in 6 sessions, as if human beings can be reduced to data points. For many clients I see, it is wholly inadequate. It is a very small part of my work.

The therapist should never be working harder than the client after the first couple of sessions. It's an active process. The great unspoken truth is that client motivation is a key factor. The more passive clients tend to need longer-term work but are more prone to dropping away. Change is hard work.