I've tried it three times with two different kids. That's over 3 years of counciling and thousands of dollars. Yes I think it's crap, sorry if that upsets you. Maybe I just got stuck with bad counclers. I can understand for you and some of the problems you've had counciling has probably been a benefit. From what I can tell it doesn't work so well for kids.
I'm leaning toward crap therapist. Plus, kids are, to quote Cmdr. Data "in a constant state of flux." I think that it is difficult even for so-called professionals to adequately reach kids because too many times adults forget what it's like being a child. Certain things may seem small and trivial to adults, but when that's all the experience you have it means the world to a child.
So what does a counselor actually do? They can't give you advice. Is it just an hour session of playing 20 questions, so you can help yourself find an answer for whatever it is, or isn't, you're doing?
Like I said before, I'm glad it works for some people, but I would not pay someone to ask me questions.
Sometimes it simply boils down to being able to observe the patient. I had sessions like that in grade school. My teacher was pretty much fresh outta college with not a lot of experience, and was of the mindset that I was a "behavior problem". So I went to counseling sessions, where unbeknownst to me, I was being recorded. What they discovered was that I wasn't a behavior problem.....I was bored. At that level of education, I learned faster than the other students, and hungered for more, but it wasn't coming at the rate I needed, so I would read ahead and end up lost when the teacher called on me.
In the long run, counseling is about helping people
find the solutions to their problems instead of fixing it for them. It's kind of along the same lines as college; you don't learn anything in college except how to learn more effectively. I'm sure everyone already knows the adage about giving a fish instead of teaching to fish?
Actually, I have been to counseling, and will never do it again. However, if a councilor gives advice, you take it, and it backfires, they're liable. Either way, it's always nice to hear someone overcome a problem with help. Like the newer generation of adults, if you can't do it yourself, then someone else will do it for you. I'm still a firm believer of "You can only help yourself." But onto other venting subjects...
Just made me think of this:
I think one of the other big things that many people underestimate or just plain forget is that human beings are
social animals. That doesn't necessarily mean doing everything for someone, but it does mean that we were never meant to take on life all by our onesie. Sometimes we need help. And some of those times it is just as important to accept help as it is to offer it.
My vent is people who are convinced that only they are right on a given subject, despite the subject being opinion based. If you express your opinion as an opinion, that's one thing. If you express your opinion as a fact that only you are right about, that's what I have an issue with. Sith forbid someone have different experiences than you, that may lead them to have a different point of view. Obviously your life is the only thing that matters in forming the way the world is for everyone, and anyone else that doesn't think as you do is not only wrong, but must be publicly derided for having different experiences and views from you.
Ironically, if people weren't convinced that certain opinions were "fact", then they wouldn't have them. However, I do agree with you. It is well documented that I despise TFA. But even though I wholeheartedly feel the movie was crap, I have never once told someone they were wrong or stupid or any other negative adjective because they disagree with me.
Random fact of the day: There are no laws that specifically prohibit torture. Acts of violence and physical and mental abuse are covered under their own separate laws prohibiting each act, as well as some articles of the bill of rights. But there is no law that specifically states "torture is illegal."
That's because they'd have to arrest people for acts of mind numbing stupidity.
