How long before progress is made when seeing a therapist?

choice2make

I posted a while back about seeing a therapist/counselor because of having NICU flashbacks, etc.  I started seeing a counselor six weeks ago, but I don't feel I'm making any progress in aleveiting my stress.  It seems like all I do is go there and *** about my life.  She's offered no input or suggestions.  My last appointment I asked for suggestions for dealing with "stupid" people - lol - and she said she needed an example.  So by the time I got thru explaining what I meant by co-workers being to lazy to do their own jobs our time was up and I got no help.  Seriously, I can *** with my good friend and feel better for free.  Money is one of the things that is stressing me out right now and I don't know if I should give up on this counselor and look for someone else or just have bitching sessions with my friend.

 When should I expect some progress or throw in the towel and move on to someone else?

ssg73

It can take a while but it seems like you have not found the right therapist.   They all have different personalities and you will click with one more than another.  Also there are lots of different schools of thought on therapy perhaps you should find a therapist with a different method than just talk.  My therapist used cognitive behavioral therapy which I really liked.  We would come up with things I wanted to work on and then I would have exercises to do during the week to practice changing my reactions to things.  I found it very helpful along with medications to help me through my depression and anxiety.  Good luck

nicnjed

It can take a little while to start feeling better, but if you are looking for more problem solving and action I'd be candid with your therapist and let them know you are not feeling/seeing the results you'd like.  Tell them that you'd like a more action oriented approach.  I'm guessing your therapist is more client centered/psychoanalytic and you need what the PP described- cognitive behavioral.  You can even ask him/her what their approach is.  If you decide to look for someone else, you can ask what their approach is over the phone before going to see them.  Someone who is cognitive behavioral will focus on your thoughts and beliefs as well as your behaviors (including what motivates and rewards your actions) with more problem solving, option evaluation, and homework.  Good luck!

choice2make

Thanks for the input Ladies.  When I first spoke with the therapist she asked me for my goals and I said I wanted coping techniques, mechanisms and she said that she could do that, but I haven't really felt that she's given me anything yet.  I think you are right that it's time to move on when she called and cancelled our appt. for yesterday, I was relieved.  Guess I will have to call her before next week and see what she has to say about the cognitive behavior before I schedule another appt.