RE: Depression and Suicidal Feelings
Yes, the goal of any kind of therapy should be to empower the person. As far as type of therapy, it's whatever works! Some do well with CBT, and others just with talk therapy. Others don't do well with talk therapy or digging up past traumas. There's so much out there in terms of therapy that it's a virtural smorgasbord of therapies to choose from. Occupational therapy is self-empowering because it's entire goal is to help the patient become more self-reliant and as high-functioning as possible and to maintain that as long as they can. Of course, a lot of it has to do with the therapist and it's important to find one that is good. I personally have also had several bad experiences with therapists I went to for some of my own issues. It's rare that one finds a really good one.
Yes I agree with that, was there one type of therapy or treatment that you found most helpful for your own personal issues? (if you don't mind me asking) :-)
Truthfully -- nothing in recent years. I went through a years of not finding a good therapist and after several disappointments and let-downs, I realized what direction I didn't want to take and that I was my own best help. This may not work for everyone, but my ultimate realization was that I was the only one who could really help myself. Maybe I outgrew therapy, and besides it rarely told me anything I didn't know already. Sure there were some good, reinforcing suggestions, but looking back it was a Jungian therapist that was the best for me. I think that this is because they also focus on the spiritual aspect of our being, as well as practical. It's a potpourri of what works for me and that's what I've been applying to myself for years now, and it seems to be helping. Obviously I can't go into a lot of detail here but the bottom line is really "Physician, heal thyself". We all have that capacity within us and once we realize and understand that responsibility for our own recovery and healing, it makes all the difference. I'm also finding that a balance in my life is crucial -- a lot of it the very occupational therapy principles that I study and know, applied to myself. Writing also helped me a lot, as a means of self-expression and venting. A lot of poetry -writing, of which I have also used therapeutically with others.
I agree about writing for certain, without writing I very much doubt I would still be alive to be honest, it has kept me going through horrific times, creativity is always so helpful :-)