what distinguishes a therapist from an attentive nonprofessional conversational partner ?
or do you basically pay a therapist to simulate a serious friendship ?
of course i know they were educated but i always failed to feel the difference while talking to them
>>28924611
A friend cares and might sometimes have advice beyond 'try thinking differently about it'.
>>28924623
so you would say that a real friend is even better ?
>>28924611
There are different levels of therapist.
Some of them (usually the cheap ones) are essentially a shoulder to cry on. Honestly that's where it gets dodgy because it is in their monetary interest to just listen to you and not actively help your problems.
Ones with actual history/papers/high qualifications are more doctor-like. Techniques may vary: one I had acted like a drill instructor and outright said in the first session that they were not my friend. For these ones, it is in their best interests to actually, actively help you improve.
Try various ones for a one-session consultation: It is pretty easy to tell the difference once you have had experience with a few different ones.
>>28924667
>There are different levels of therapist.
NO TRUE THERAPIST
Bullshit. No therapist ever either cared enough or knew enough to spout anything than 'those thoughts are just in your head', 'you are not your thoughts', 'your thoughts depend on you', 'this is just a perspective', 'you can't be certain' delusional drivel.
>>28924690
>>28924667
In short, it is YOU whose experience with people is so narrow to realize that an average science undergraduate, hell, an average /r9k/ poster, has more psychological insight and basic human responsibility (willingness to provide solutions to your e.g. relationship or family problems) than a therapist who's only going to parrot his 'you must take responsibility for your life'.
>>28924713
*to fail to realize
