• Replies 8 replies
  • Subscribers 6 subscribers
  • Views 2243 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

therapy that has been harmful

autileaf

I'm a 17 year old female 

I currently have an amazing therapist whom i've had for 3 weeks who has immediately picked up on my ASD & is looking into it.

(i didn't know i had autism till around june).

i had a therapist for 15 months however (1 year via telephone, 3 months via face to face). 

things he did help with:

- reducing my suicidality 

- allowing me to recognise the thoughts & emotions that come into my head

things he didn't help with:

- he told me off for crying bc it was my fault that i was struggling

- he told me others around me secretly don't like me

- he made me feel as though every action i did was scrutinised by others as it was hurtful

- as a result of past trauma, i struggle with attachments & he told me it was narcisstic 

- he was annoyed with me when i didn't know the answers abt how smth felt in my body/when i struggled to explain my emotions. & he wld say stuff like "i don't want to ask the question bc i know the answer" , "it really annoys me when you do that"

- he told me he's "had to slowly accept that" im ND 

I worry bc i don't want such a horrible memory of him but i feel as though everyone is constantly hurting me

Parents

  • Most, if not all, psychotherapy methods were designed for neurotypical people. Unless administered by someone with an understanding of neurodivergent conditions, such as autism, they can be inappropriate and unhelpful. You are lucky that you have found a therapist who has an appreciation of neurodivergence. I would concentrate on this fortunate turn of events and try to let go of the negative feelings generated by your previous therapist. You are definitely lucky, the only mental/mood/behavioural therapy I have ever had was a prescription for Sertraline, which triggered horrendous migraines.

Reply

  • Most, if not all, psychotherapy methods were designed for neurotypical people. Unless administered by someone with an understanding of neurodivergent conditions, such as autism, they can be inappropriate and unhelpful. You are lucky that you have found a therapist who has an appreciation of neurodivergence. I would concentrate on this fortunate turn of events and try to let go of the negative feelings generated by your previous therapist. You are definitely lucky, the only mental/mood/behavioural therapy I have ever had was a prescription for Sertraline, which triggered horrendous migraines.

Children
  • in reply to Martin

    thank you. i'm so sorry that you are struggling. i've heard about sertraline- apparently it can help stuff like anxiety but yes other than that it doesn't seem to help people. i've personally never been on medication.

    i waited on a 16 month waiting list for this therapist which is why i had another before. it's just hard because he did help me in some ways but there's just a lot so i don't know how to view him. like part of me is trying to classify him as "good" or "bad". because he probably didn't mean any harm in the first instance. it's just some of the ways were problematic.

    and thanks- i'm hoping my current therapy continues positively but i have a good feeling about it. it's provided by CAMHs. 

    how old are you? and where have you tried to seek support from atm?