People Are Sharing The Best Things They Learned In Therapy So That Everyone Could Get Some Free Therapy In 30 Helpful Tweets
The internet can come up with some useful resources when people put their knowledge together. Right now, a thread started by writer Caroline Moss has Twitter users passing on some of the most memorable pieces of advice they’ve learned from their therapists.
The advice is jokingly being called “free therapy” for those who can’t afford to get to a therapist right now, as people share advice about conducting healthier interpersonal relationships, noticing and challenging your own negative thought processes, and figuring out how to approach overwhelming challenges.
Scroll down for some great advice that you'll want to apply in your own life and share with your friends as well.
Image credits: CarolineMoss
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I think this one should be directed towards those who criticize your complaining or tiredness "because others have it worse". Since I know myself, whenever I feel really sad or stressed, the thought that someone else has it worse makes me feel even worse myself because it combines the feeling that the world is poop with feelings of self-guilt and that's the opposite of motivation for me. On the contrary, seeing someone else having it better would feel like a spark of hope, like "at least there is some happiness out there".
Totally agree. And sometimes people try shaming you by showing you these that-guy-has-it-worse examples as if your feelings are unimportant, and you're just a common whiner with petty problems
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The thinking don't complain as other people have it worse is called toxic positivity, I think. if you are feeling bad then feel that and try to find ways to cope with it. Don't listen to those that tell you to ignore it. And its funny how people who say other people have it worse" rarely do anything to help anyone...
True. And this is not only toxic positivity, but also a mentality applied in many work places. I wish all bosses understood this concept, really.
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I never thought about this way. I can see how it would be annoying to have someone say that to you. However, I say it to myself and it helps. Anytime I'm going through something I think is terrible I think to myself, if others can get through worse than I can get through this.
Yes but I think you have to know your audience. If you are constantly complaining about a cold/ flu to someone who has cancer it can be incredibly annoying.
I've had a really rough 2019. The worst thing that happened was my hubby dying. When I've known of someone going through a hard time, I've tried to talk to them and be there for them. I've fussed at people, more than a few times, because they will say things like, "I shouldn't even be complaining, after everything you've been through." I remind them of the analogy of the big dog & little dog standing in mud. What might drown one person in mud, is nothing for another, and vice versa.
It's always good to have perspective on your problems, but yeah, that whole "cheer up, it could be worse" thing is not helpful. Someone is always going to have it worse, someone is always going to have it better. It's not a contest; everyone is going through something valid.
When I was younger my mum used to say to me, "it could be worse, you could be in a wheelchair." which was offensive in so many ways. Still these days it's an in joke between friends who knew her and me. Everyone suffers in their own way and most of us are happy or content in our own way.
I can't give this one enough gratitude. My guy always tells me that about myself
My mind always goes to that, and it makes me feel guilty that I'm even feeling bad when other have it way worse... so instead I try to think of something about the situation that isn't too bad so "at least I have that going for me, which is nice"
"Don't complain, others have it worse" is the same as "Don't be happy, others have it better"
There are numerous reasons why people who would like to visit a therapist don’t have the opportunity to do so. Cost often makes therapy inaccessible, as well as heavy work schedules or long waiting lists.
It can also be difficult as an individual to find the “right” therapist. While you shouldn’t settle for a therapist who you don’t get along with or don’t feel suits your needs, frustratingly, canceling your next appointment because it isn’t working out for you can take you back to square one.
Saw something similar "Honesty is still the best policy, with a little bit of common sense"
Therapy is also not a condemnation or only an emergency resort for someone already in crisis.
Dr. Ryan Howes at Psychology Today says that giving yourself time to talk about your concerns, what you’re feeling, and what you would like to practice is kind of like going to the gym: an opportunity to maintain your health and achieve your potential.
A study carried out in the US by the American Psychological Association in 2018 found that among millennials and Gen Z, more than a third of respondents have visited a therapist or mental health professional.
Psychologists see this increasing openness around mental health issues as a positive, since it provides opportunities to discuss their causes and manage them.
The even better news is that you don’t have to wait to go to a therapist in order to have those conversations with yourself and the people around you.
But if it's possible, maybe try to talk to that person first, and explain what you feel about their responses. As someone who's been on both sides frequently, people are often unsure how to respond to someone who is unloading a lot into them. They might be capable of engaging deeply, and be willing to do so, but aren't sure if that's what you want, or if you just want to vent and/or hear whatever will make you feel momentarily better.
No, it's not dependant on the ones who cause it but I'd still like the bastards to know! Mainly so that they won't do it again.
And find YOUR happy. I consider myself a happy person (thankfully), but I'm an introverted silent happy. That's cool too.
It's a super difficult thing to sometimes, but very beneficial in the end. I had to do this a few months ago... It hurts, I miss her, but don't miss having my feelings thrown back at me or used as weapons.
but what if you want them to experience happiness for a moment of their life atleast?
If I did that I'd feel conceited. My low self esteem is there to tell me I should be glad I'm even been acknowledged as a fellow human being at all.
PMS and PMDD are a real condition, and it's about time people took them seriously and support women who suffer them instead of shaming them for not navigating it smoothly.
Or we do see it, but somehow it makes us feel guilty for no real reason. This is when you need to focus and explore your guilt. Ask yourself questions. If you can't answer, do an internet search. It's a method to distract you from pain but without ignoring it, a distraction that will permit you to tackle it out by researching about it. Knowledge really is power.
I disagree with this one. While fear and shame can be the cause of anger indeed, that's not always the case. For me, anger happens when I really care about something, and that something has been wronged. It can be a person, a plan, work/project, manners/behaviour, general injustice etc. For example, I felt pretty angry when a friend of mine was treated kinda badly.
Note: this post originally had 89 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
Not from therapy but from a movie ("Thanks for Sharing") "Feelings are like kids. You don't want them driving the car, but you don't want to stuff them in the trunk either."
Honestly, some of these may help certain people. However, if non of this resonates with you, do not feel disheartened. You will find your release, it may take a few hours or a few years, but you can get there! I am still trying to find mine, but belief is still there.
I learned Emotional Freeing Technique on my own from the net for free at least twelve years ago and I've been using it ever since for everything, large or small. Since then I've also added Tapas Acupressure Technique and EMDR. TAT I learned off the net (also for free) and EMDR was taught to me by an exceptionally gifted therapist. I use all of these, and Reiki, too. They all help and work together to keep me alive and relatively sane. I recommend any and all of these techniques. They're all best learned from a qualified practitioner and, with the help of that practitioner, you can definitely make serious inroads on your trauma. You can do a lot of the work on your own, too, if you're patient, kind with yourself, and willing to put in the time.
not from therapy but something I discovered myself that helped me with my body image and may help others, when you're feeling bad about yourself find something you like, e.g. a nice piece of clothing, some jewellery or even just draw on yourself, and look in the mirror. Then I found my thought process starts with "this looks good" to "I look good in this" to "I look good". It may not work for you, but it doesn't hurt to try.
The best one I heard from my therapist was when I told her I'm very concerned that I'm neglecting my kid when I go to therapy and meetings and do things for myself... She told me - there's a reason on airplanes they always tell you to secure your own oxygen mask before trying to help others. If you do not provide yourself with the flow of oxygen, you will die before you can help anyone. Same with parenting - you need to get your "flow of oxygen" going first, before you can truly help your kids and be there for them. It can mean therapy sessions, yoga sessions, or simply walks in a park and exercise - you and your kid will be so much better off if you take care of your emotional needs first.
One thing I noticed that has been always helping me through the hardest times was my rebellious spirit. "F*ck you, irrational thoughts! You're just trolls."
See? People who think swearing has no purpose or that it means you have a poor vocabulary really don't get how useful it can be!
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Someone who went to therapy told me: You are either a victim/aggressor or a Healer. I thought about it: I don't want to be a victim, nor do I want to victimize, so I try to Heal and Teach. It's the best way to avoid hurting/getting hurt!
Good for them. Pass on the information to those who cannot afford it
GUILT The most useless of feelings. It doesn't help you change the past. It doesn't make you more efficient at changing the future. It doesn't make people forgive you. It does drain your mental ressource.
Im afraid you won't find any fitting hint on the internet
Load More Replies... Not from therapy but from a movie ("Thanks for Sharing") "Feelings are like kids. You don't want them driving the car, but you don't want to stuff them in the trunk either."
Honestly, some of these may help certain people. However, if non of this resonates with you, do not feel disheartened. You will find your release, it may take a few hours or a few years, but you can get there! I am still trying to find mine, but belief is still there.
I learned Emotional Freeing Technique on my own from the net for free at least twelve years ago and I've been using it ever since for everything, large or small. Since then I've also added Tapas Acupressure Technique and EMDR. TAT I learned off the net (also for free) and EMDR was taught to me by an exceptionally gifted therapist. I use all of these, and Reiki, too. They all help and work together to keep me alive and relatively sane. I recommend any and all of these techniques. They're all best learned from a qualified practitioner and, with the help of that practitioner, you can definitely make serious inroads on your trauma. You can do a lot of the work on your own, too, if you're patient, kind with yourself, and willing to put in the time.
not from therapy but something I discovered myself that helped me with my body image and may help others, when you're feeling bad about yourself find something you like, e.g. a nice piece of clothing, some jewellery or even just draw on yourself, and look in the mirror. Then I found my thought process starts with "this looks good" to "I look good in this" to "I look good". It may not work for you, but it doesn't hurt to try.
The best one I heard from my therapist was when I told her I'm very concerned that I'm neglecting my kid when I go to therapy and meetings and do things for myself... She told me - there's a reason on airplanes they always tell you to secure your own oxygen mask before trying to help others. If you do not provide yourself with the flow of oxygen, you will die before you can help anyone. Same with parenting - you need to get your "flow of oxygen" going first, before you can truly help your kids and be there for them. It can mean therapy sessions, yoga sessions, or simply walks in a park and exercise - you and your kid will be so much better off if you take care of your emotional needs first.
One thing I noticed that has been always helping me through the hardest times was my rebellious spirit. "F*ck you, irrational thoughts! You're just trolls."
See? People who think swearing has no purpose or that it means you have a poor vocabulary really don't get how useful it can be!
Load More Replies... Someone who went to therapy told me: You are either a victim/aggressor or a Healer. I thought about it: I don't want to be a victim, nor do I want to victimize, so I try to Heal and Teach. It's the best way to avoid hurting/getting hurt!
Good for them. Pass on the information to those who cannot afford it
GUILT The most useless of feelings. It doesn't help you change the past. It doesn't make you more efficient at changing the future. It doesn't make people forgive you. It does drain your mental ressource.
Im afraid you won't find any fitting hint on the internet
Load More Replies...