{"id":206,"date":"2008-10-05T09:32:29","date_gmt":"2008-10-05T13:32:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bipolarcentral.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/?p=206"},"modified":"2009-03-17T11:00:15","modified_gmt":"2009-03-17T15:00:15","slug":"bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist\/","title":{"rendered":"Bipolar Supporter? Should You See a Therapist?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hi,<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What’s new?<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Before I get started, I wanted to let you know that I will be looking for new writers for bipolar related topics soon. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We are actually having a super system to keep track of anyone interested and Megan is in charge of it’s development.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

She is currently going through the system to make sure it’s all set for those that are interested.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Just keep reading these emails and you’ll see a notice.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I was talking to someone yesterday that’s actually a really tough guy and he is seeing a therapist.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

He said that he has “a lot of issues from his childhood that were negatively affecting his wife.”<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

He said that he loved his wife and wanted to make sure she didn’t “split” (meaning leave) because of his “issues.”<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I thought that was great on his part.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

So it reminded me of the many bipolar supporters I know who see therapists.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s a question for you:<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As a bipolar supporter, should you see your own therapist?<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Well, first of all, it’s a personal decision, and only you can answer that for yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

But I have personally talked to many therapists, their mental health professionals, and consultants, and the general consensus is that therapy is a must for your loved one, family (or marriage) therapy is an option, and therapy for the supporter can be a good idea.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Therapists are great for giving you feedback and helping you stay on track.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For many supporters, whose loved one has driven away family and friends, a therapist is the only person they can go to for a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Another thing about seeing your own therapist is that everything is kept strictly confidential. <\/span>So you have the freedom to say anything you want to say without fear of your loved one finding out.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, I know a couple who both see the same therapist (the therapist had to agree to it \u2013 many won’t) \u2013 in separate sessions. <\/span>But each has given the therapist permission that if there is an issue involved that they can’t talk to each other about, that she can function (tactfully) as sort of a “go-between.”<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This has really helped their communication, and their relationship has improved as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

But you also have to trust your therapist, and have a good relationship with him\/her. <\/span>Like this couple I was just telling you about. <\/span>They have to trust their therapist not to just “blab” to the other person what each other says. <\/span>And the therapist doesn’t do that, because she’s a good therapist.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

My mom likes the therapist she’s going to now, but she’s had some bad therapists in the past.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Now, I’m not saying that all therapists are bad, obviously, because I just talked about some good ones. <\/span>But there are good therapists and bad therapists, just like there are good doctors and bad doctors, and that’s one of the things I go over in my courses\/systems:<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?<\/span><\/p>\n

Visit:<\/span><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/report11<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

SUPPORTING A CHILD\/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?<\/span><\/p>\n

Visit:<\/span><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.bipolarparenting.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?<\/span><\/p>\n

Visit:<\/span><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.survivebipolar.net<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes, being a supporter, you have to deal with some pretty big issues, like when it comes to episodes.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Especially when it comes to the fall-out (consequences) of those episodes. <\/span>That’s one of the times that having your own therapist would be a good idea.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

But even on a daily basis, with all the responsibilities you have as a supporter, it would still be a good idea to have your own therapist.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Being a supporter of a loved one with bipolar disorder, you have to deal with a lot of feelings (sometimes negative ones) and conflicting emotions.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Writing in a journal can help, but sometimes you just need someone to talk to, because you need that feedback. <\/span>That’s where a therapist comes in.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes the “bipolar world” can get pretty crazy. <\/span>Sometimes it can even feel as if bipolar disorder has taken over your whole life. <\/span>Like I said before, a therapist is good at helping you keep your life on track.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Again, though, whether you see your own therapist or not is a personal decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It’s your choice.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

One final thought. My dad use to be against therapy. You’re going to laugh but the <\/span>said “only in America could you get paid to hear people talk to you.” Okay, first my dad is older and from the country (down south) where that wasn’t big in his time. Today of course people all over the world see therapists, people down south, north, in Canada, South America, Africa, Asia, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

But anyway, my dad use to just think it was like a waste of money. UNTIL he saw the results with my mom and other bipolar supporters he met once at a support group. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Some people think like my dad on my list. I think that SOME therapists gave the good therapists a bad name so to speak by not really helping and just trying to get money out of people.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Therapy reminds me of chiropractors, there are good ones and bad ones but the bad ones made it hard for the good ones.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Anyway, one thing that I pointed out to my dad that made him look at it differently is that I said, “instead of thinking of a therapist as a person that just listens to someone talk think of a therapist as a consultant or coach. Any good coach has to ask questions to determine how to help the person.”<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

That made sense to my dad. Even I don’t think of a therapist as a therapist I think of a therapist as a consultant. I think if we could do it all over again I think therapists should be called consultants. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Okay, maybe I am out of my mind but you get the idea right?<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

My dad does not see a therapist but he believes in them because he has seen great results for my mom and other bipolar supporters.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Hey I have to run. Think I am crazy?<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ME<\/span><\/p>\n

Visit: http:\/\/www.bipolarcentral.com\/testimonials<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

David Oliver is the author of the shocking guide \u201cBipolar Disorder\u2014The REAL Silent Killer.\u201d Click Here<\/span><\/a><\/strong> to get FREE Information<\/strong> sent via email on how and why bipolar disorder kills.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hi,<\/p>\n

\n

What’s new?<\/p>\n

\n

Before I get started, I wanted to let you know that I will be looking for new writers for bipolar related topics soon. <\/p>\n

\n

We are actually having a super system to keep track of anyone interested and Megan is in charge of it’s development.<\/p>\n

\n

She is currently going through the system to make sure it’s all set for those that are interested.<\/p>\n

Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nBipolar Supporter? Should You See a Therapist? - Bipolar Supporter Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Bipolar Supporter? Should You See a Therapist? - Bipolar Supporter Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Hi, What’s new? Before I get started, I wanted to let you know that I will be looking for new writers for bipolar related topics soon. We are actually having a super system to keep track of anyone interested and Megan is in charge of it’s development. She is currently going through the system to make sure it’s all set for those that are interested. Continue Reading\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Bipolar Supporter Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2008-10-05T13:32:29+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2009-03-17T15:00:15+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"David Oliver\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"David Oliver\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"David Oliver\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/#\/schema\/person\/bdb1948c35c678d8a189cbe999dcad75\"},\"headline\":\"Bipolar Supporter? Should You See a Therapist?\",\"datePublished\":\"2008-10-05T13:32:29+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2009-03-17T15:00:15+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist\/\"},\"wordCount\":1075,\"commentCount\":25,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/#\/schema\/person\/bdb1948c35c678d8a189cbe999dcad75\"},\"articleSection\":[\"Daily Bipolar Disorder Message\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist\/\",\"name\":\"Bipolar Supporter? Should You See a Therapist? - Bipolar Supporter Blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2008-10-05T13:32:29+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2009-03-17T15:00:15+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Bipolar Supporter? Should You See a Therapist?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/#website\",\"url\":\"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/\",\"name\":\"Bipolar Supporter Blog\",\"description\":\"With this blog, I want to keep all of you updated on important information about bipolar disorder and how it affects families. Here you can discuss effects of bipolar disorder, the risks of bipolar disorder, analyze some case studies and also can come to know about the treatments for bipolar disorder. Share with someone who has bipolar disorder today.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/#\/schema\/person\/bdb1948c35c678d8a189cbe999dcad75\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"Person\",\"Organization\"],\"@id\":\"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/#\/schema\/person\/bdb1948c35c678d8a189cbe999dcad75\",\"name\":\"David Oliver\",\"logo\":{\"@id\":\"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"http:\/\/www.bipolarcentral.com\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Bipolar Supporter? Should You See a Therapist? - Bipolar Supporter Blog","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Bipolar Supporter? Should You See a Therapist? - Bipolar Supporter Blog","og_description":"Hi, What’s new? Before I get started, I wanted to let you know that I will be looking for new writers for bipolar related topics soon. We are actually having a super system to keep track of anyone interested and Megan is in charge of it’s development. She is currently going through the system to make sure it’s all set for those that are interested. Continue Reading","og_url":"https:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist\/","og_site_name":"Bipolar Supporter Blog","article_published_time":"2008-10-05T13:32:29+00:00","article_modified_time":"2009-03-17T15:00:15+00:00","author":"David Oliver","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"David Oliver","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist\/"},"author":{"name":"David Oliver","@id":"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/#\/schema\/person\/bdb1948c35c678d8a189cbe999dcad75"},"headline":"Bipolar Supporter? Should You See a Therapist?","datePublished":"2008-10-05T13:32:29+00:00","dateModified":"2009-03-17T15:00:15+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist\/"},"wordCount":1075,"commentCount":25,"publisher":{"@id":"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/#\/schema\/person\/bdb1948c35c678d8a189cbe999dcad75"},"articleSection":["Daily Bipolar Disorder Message"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist\/","url":"https:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist\/","name":"Bipolar Supporter? Should You See a Therapist? - Bipolar Supporter Blog","isPartOf":{"@id":"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/#website"},"datePublished":"2008-10-05T13:32:29+00:00","dateModified":"2009-03-17T15:00:15+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/bipolar-supporter-should-you-see-a-therapist\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Bipolar Supporter? Should You See a Therapist?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/#website","url":"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/","name":"Bipolar Supporter Blog","description":"With this blog, I want to keep all of you updated on important information about bipolar disorder and how it affects families. Here you can discuss effects of bipolar disorder, the risks of bipolar disorder, analyze some case studies and also can come to know about the treatments for bipolar disorder. Share with someone who has bipolar disorder today.","publisher":{"@id":"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/#\/schema\/person\/bdb1948c35c678d8a189cbe999dcad75"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":["Person","Organization"],"@id":"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/#\/schema\/person\/bdb1948c35c678d8a189cbe999dcad75","name":"David Oliver","logo":{"@id":"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/"},"sameAs":["http:\/\/www.bipolarcentral.com"]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/206"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=206"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/206\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1177,"href":"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/206\/revisions\/1177"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=206"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=206"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.bipolarsupporter.com\/bipolarsupporterblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=206"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}