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In Reply to: A few thoughts about stuff I get paid to think about... :-) posted by CB on February 28, 2006 at 12:06:13:
"What you're describing is not what I'd call psychotherapy. I call it psychoeducation and mental illness self-management through wellness recovery action planning (WRAP).'
You mention some good points. I don't see though, where my mentioning psychotherapy as an important PART of recovery for people who NEED it is saying psychoeducation is not needed or doctors are not needed or medication is not needed and certainly NOT saying that self-management is not needed.
I was thinking about a BiPolar friend in particular and I know that psychotherapy (talk therapy)is highly recommended. Here's a quote from an org. for this illness:
"Seek Psychotherapy (talk therapy)
Choose a Psychotherapist whom you feel comfortable with. Work with your PT to find a treatment plan that works. Stay in touch with your PT and other health care providers. "Booster Visits" can be useful in keeping symptoms from returning."
We can probably agree on this and perhaps you can understand that I am not talking about any one thing to help a person or any ten either. Each person has individual needs.
So many other things are mentioned incl. exercise and diet. I absolutely agree with "empowering an individual" to better manage their illness is an important thing. I would see a psychotherapist's role as someone who helps a client to work towards self empowerment. I would hope so anyway.
