[Rive1976]

Today my T gave me a theory she had. It was just that not based on evidence. Is that helpful or harmful for your therapists to give you theories.

She does, and we talk about them, we don't always agree but even when we don't agree the discussion is interesting and brings out things I hadn't thought about before.

[stopdog]

I don't think the woman tried to do that. I would ask about what theory of psychology was she playing at and she would refuse to answer. If she tried to give me a theory about me - I doubt it would have been correct or relevant.

[ChickenNoodleSoup]

Theory about psychology topics or theories regarding why I turned out the way I did?

The former he sometimes mentions, like "there is X that I sometimes use when talking to you". He usually doesn't elaborate (I'm sure he would if I'd ask, but I'd rather talk about more important things), and I can read up on it at home.

The latter he sometimes mentions like when I talk about some memories he might say that might explain why I do something or feel something sometimes. But he'll always mention in the same sentence that we do not know this for sure and it's just a theory, and explanation of sorts.

I think both are helpful. Hearing about psychological theories is nice because I'm interested in them. And getting some possible explanations for my behaviors is also nice.

[Raging Quiet]

Yes, both mine have.

[Lemoncake]

R doesn't. Replacement T did and I didn't like it to be honest.

[seeker33]

Mine hasn't and I miss it. I wish she was much more analytical than she is.

[Rive1976]

My therapist told me that she thought my mother may of sexually abused me and said it was just a theory. Then she said it could of been a woman maybe not my mom. Personally I dont know if theories like this are helpful. Not to mention my mother was sexually abused and she would not hurt me like that.

[coolibrarian]

Originally Posted by Dnester

Today my T gave me a theory she had. It was just that not based on evidence. Is that helpful or harmful for your therapists to give you theories.

Do you mean theories, or interpretations? To my mind, there is a difference.

[Rive1976]

Originally Posted by coolibrarian

Do you mean theories, or interpretations? To my mind, there is a difference.

Theories

[mostlylurking]

That sounds like an upsetting theory, Dnester. Did she explain to you what made this idea pop into her head? Something like "Sometimes when clients are experiencing X it can be related to childhood abuse" or similar?

I think theories can be helpful if they are given in a spirit of open-minded curiosity and exploration, and the thought behind them is explained, and the T is not wedded to any of their theories. But this theory is a bit of a bombshell, and feels like something a T should suggest only very carefully and with a lot to base it on.

[SlumberKitty]

Originally Posted by Dnester

Today my T gave me a theory she had. It was just that not based on evidence. Is that helpful or harmful for your therapists to give you theories.

T that I saw for a total of 4 times before quitting gave me theories pretty much every time and possible diagnoses. It was ridiculous. She hit everything from dysthymia to schizophrenia to ADHD and everything in between. None of which I have been formally diagnosed with by the way. I would just mention one thing and she'd be like, here's a theory, you might have x y z. Um. No. One symptom does not a diagnosis make. Grr. So annoying. Good thing I quit with that T.

[Rive1976]

Originally Posted by mostlylurking

That sounds like an upsetting theory, Dnester. Did she explain to you what made this idea pop into her head? Something like "Sometimes when clients are experiencing X it can be related to childhood abuse" or similar?

I think theories can be helpful if they are given in a spirit of open-minded curiosity and exploration, and the thought behind them is explained, and the T is not wedded to any of their theories. But this theory is a bit of a bombshell, and feels like something a T should suggest only very carefully and with a lot to base it on.

Yes she did explain it but its a long shot for sure.