Monday 17 October 2011

On spilling my guts.

If you've ever been to a psychologist (and if that psychologist was any good), you would've experienced this very unique relationship where you are expected to spill your guts out, whilst the shrink sits there, giving you encouraging nods and the occasional "unh unh".

You may get the odd bit of information out of them, but mostly (again if they are any good) it's pretty much a one way verbal vomit from you (or not if you are being difficult :)).

I know, because I'm a psychologist. There are a whole heap of very good reasons why we do that, and some day I might go into it. But that's not why we're here.

We are here because I've decided to turn the tables around. Here, I spill my guts. All of it. About what us psychologists REALLY think about you, about what we don't want you to know, about what we want you to think, about what works and what doesn't, and about what we are really thinking when we say "you're doing so well!".

I should put a disclaimer here about the fact that I cannot talk for all the psychologists out there and no doubt some of them will have something to say about my thoughts but i can pretty much guarantee that some (read most) of my colleagues will be quietly nodding and even giving me the occasional "unh unh".

Why am i doing this you ask? Do you have any idea how frustrating it is to sit across from you, listening to your stories and not be able to say "I know!! My husband drives me nuts too!!" or "you did what????". Instead, we sit there, nodding and unh unhing.

Well no more!! And if no one wants to read what I have to say, that's quite alright. I'll feel so much better anyway for having spilt my guts.

3 comments:

  1. This is so interesting Anna. I've seen my fair share of counsellors and I've been seeing 'Wang' for over 3.5 years (as I tell people, I have paid for his farm in the southern highlands). This is the best money and investment I have had.

    Now I am really looking forward to hearing more about your thoughts!

    I love my 'Wang' and rarely does he give me the answers (well depending on what it is), finding it from within is his deal. Bastard, he rarely makes it easy!

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  2. Hi visiting you c/- Gemma.
    Oh you will have so much material to write - how will you know what to leave out????

    Read you later.
    Kristy

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  3. Welcome Kristy! So excited to have some of you lovely ladies on board!
    You know what, I just can't stop thinking about everything I can write about!! I keep jotting down ideas every 5 minutes. You are right. So much to write about!
    Some of the topics coming up: sex, ToP, toxic parents, patients I refuse to work with (there's only ever been 2), my insecurities, and much much more!
    Feel free to email me if you have any questions or burning issues about psychologists. I aim to keep no secrets. (did I really just say that? Getting nervous now! Lol)
    We'll chat again soon.
    Anna M.
    Fine print: this is not an online counseling service and I will not be giving advice or counseling anyone on their personal issues. ;)

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