Therapy without talking about trauma details

[creative_writer]

Anyone have experience with going into therapy and not having to go in detail about past trauma. I can give context but I don’t want to go through each and every detail. Talking about details kept me stuck in the loop with my previous psych. It was exhausting. I’m thinking way too much tonight, I need to find a new psych but I’m so scared to start all over again. I am also afraid the new therapist will expect me to talk about it all when my mind refuses. I’ve had too many bad experiences, it has caused me to shut down 

[avant-garde]

Hey @creative_writer 

I know what you mean... I have a very high attention to detail, including within my memories. My last therapist said that I get stuck in the details and that broad brushstrokes are enough. 

I know finding a new therapist is daunting, scary and hard, but what I've been reminded of is that your voice matters and if a therapist isn't hearing or respecting your voice then it is someone not worth pursuing because all it will do is reinforce old beliefs rather than heal the hurt you've already gone through

[Just]

Interesting, a new way of looking at things. Might be worth a try, see what the therapist has in their bag of tricks. Don't know much more to add but it's a new year. Why not try a different approach. Good luck.

[creative_writer]

@avant-garde I am also very detail orientated and can lost in the details of the past. Once I get lost in the past, it’s hard to focus on the present and future. Finding a new therapist is a scary and tedious process, but I do believe I need someone new. I’m just not sure how I’ll find the therapist. I know I may need to follow up on a few therapists in the new year, it sounds overwhelming, but a few min conversation may give me insight on whether I gel well with them.

@Just I’m not sure if I’m the minority, I feel like gold standard CBT often only gets you so far. I feel like we all need to engage in other forms of healing and sometimes other forms of therapy. I think for me it’s also about trying to release the emotions in my body

[IceSkater]

Hi @creative_writer ,

Sounds like EMDR, a specific trauma therapy that is very different from CBT, might be something you'd like to look into? It involves accessing your memories in a way that distracts your mind at the same time to reduce distress, doesn't involve that focus on every single detail of what happened. I've been doing it and found it helpful and empowering, though it's still challenging. EMDR does also address trauma being stored in the body, though somatic therapies (which I haven't done myself) also comes to mind?

I can also definitely relate to your experience, as I had to change therapists after I developed PTSD and the psychologist I was seeing at the time and taking a very CBT approach wasn't helping. I've personally noticed a distinct difference between clinicians who really are trauma informed and those who aren't, and I didn't understand the difference until I started seeing someone who was much better.

All the best!

[tacocat]

Hi @IceSkater 

Just wanted to send you a quick welcome message 🙂

Feel free to tell us a little more about yourself, and how the community here can support you. 

[Spirit_Healer]

Hello, @creative_writer @IceSkater @tacocat ,

I have unprocessed trauma from 17 years ago.

I have almost had the opposite experience, my treating professionals decided that, because my housing situation and mental readiness were not right, they haven't really unpacked my trauma yet. I was living with the perpetrator and bystander of my trauma until four weeks ago. I've also been passed on from a specialised service to my private psychologist and psychiatrist, for fear of 'too many cooks in the kitchen'. 

I have also been suggested EMDR as a way to process it.

It takes time to find a therapist/counsellor/clinical psychologist who is the right fit. Personality, skills and knowledge of how the mind works are all important to fit with your needs. Do take the time to find someone who posesses what you need.

I found my current clinical psychologist through networking - asking other professionals from the same/similar field.

Hope this helps!

[Gwynn]

Hi @creative_writer - what kinds of things have you tried to release the emotions in your body?

[creative_writer]

@IceSkater it is nice to meet you 💖. My last psych was trauma informed but I feel like I’ve needed a change for a while. I’ve done a few sessions of EMDR ages ago which helped a bit. We have been mostly doing talk therapy lately which doesn’t seem to be working. I can’t say I feel satisfied with my current psych either.

I do believe some therapist prefer talking about things in detail. I am afraid of it being a requirement of many therapists. I can provide context, but I don’t know why it has to be absolutely necessary to talk about things in detail if it’s just going to make you feel worse.

@Spirit_Healer Attachment trauma probably is still triggered since I still live at home. I couldn’t get my emotional needs met through parents. I hide emotions on a regular basis and it’s exhausting, but it is what it is. Though SA is no longer happening and has been out of my life for a very long time. Looking at personality, skills, interest and experiences may help. It’s a bit tricky considering I have multiple psychiatric diagnoses. I need someone who is familiar with neurodivergence, bipolar, CPTSD, anxiety and be culturally informed

[Spirit_Healer]

@creative_writer I have similar diagnoses to you: anxiety, schizoaffective disorder (bipolar type) and I am CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse). My clinical psychologist is a white woman, and she doesn't claim to be the expert on my culture, but the way she talks, she is cognisant about it. She often points out that culture is what is affecting the decisions/words/actions of my parents, in particular. For instance, in my culture, there is a concept called 'filial piety' which is basically that a child like me needs to be respectful and caring to their parents at all times, throughout their whole lives. This can be exhausting for the child (me)! So, it would be irresponsible, for example, to put my parents into a nursing home when they are too difficult to look after, etc. Sometimes these concepts are outdated and don't take into account the fact that I need to care for myself, before I can care for others, including my parents. 

How does culture affect your mental health?