Concerned About My new 'secular' Therapy

[abbey]

Hi gang!

Tommorow I begin Dialectical Behavior therapy. I KNOW im a borderline personality - Ive so many traits, its mind- boggling! I thought God might be in this, but Im not sure. I got burned in secular therapy before! Ruined my life basically cuz the guy wasnt a Christian and just used his "worldly" knowledge to take me donw the wrong path.

Dbt, is yet another new-fangled therapy, yet I hear good things about it. My back is against the wall now! If i dont get help asap, im kinda doomed. I have behaviors that need to be changed. I dont know how to do this without help.

I saw a video with the creator of DBT, and she came off lke an eccentric loon! But Salvaodor dali was an eccentric loon too. :) ALso, I called my dbt therapist today and said I wanted some outside (christian) therapy as well. She said "That is not allowed" I immediately got mad, thinkin' you dont tell me what to do. Im a Christian and dont need my mind messed with by your lot. Im confused?

On one hand, I feel I have no choice but to embark on this therapy. What I have is too deep to just rely on a Christian therapist with nly 20 sessions (thats all my insurance will cover) Yet with dbt, I get 3 and 1/2 hours per week along with 24 hour hotline. One aspect f this therapy is based in buddism. Thats a BIG concern. Plus its got all these fancy terms and skills. Just sounds like more psychocrapolla to me, but my backs against the wall now! Im in bad shape. BAD!

I have a link - I tryed to find the shortest read for anyone to respond to me. I keep blowing up relationships, I have severe emotional swings, the drug abuse....I have almost ALL the BPD symptoms. But I just fear another mind-screw?

I dont know....

one confused abbey :(

http://www.portlanddbt.com/pages/intro.html

[riverdove]

Abbey, I hear your concerns. This doesn't sound too good at all--the underlying philosophy of your counseling. There's a spiritual dimension to it than just the counseling alone ..... You're wise to raise the red flag. Is there any way you can delay it and find some Christian counselors, or at least some counselors who are on neutral ground? Sorry to hear of your situations. My prayer goes to you and for you to find someone who you can feel safe and comfortable with.

[Gayle]

Hi Abbey,

Relaxation meditation can be very helpful. It isn't right that any therapist should impose their religion in a therapy setting where a person is wanting to learn how to cope/manage their own personal stresses. I understand why they wouldn't want you to be involved in Christian therapy if they want you to focus on Buddhism. They likely see you as coming to them for their kind of therapy which involves their beliefs, so assume you accept their method of therapy. There might be a conflict of interest? If you went to a Christian therapist you wouldn't expect therapy based on Buddhism. They have no right to tell you not to involve yourself in Christian based therapy but they can decide not to assist you if you do.

I've used taped recordings to help me relax - they didn't have any religious views placed in the messages - simple breathing exercises, tensing and relaxing muscles while imaging relaxing scenes such as (ocean/nature). A Christian therapist made the recordings after I adapted some meditation exercises to my own needs from something I found in a book.

A good non-Christian therapist would support your decision to seek spiritual advise based on Christian beliefs if you chose to do that. They would even suggest it in order to have that need met. There are Christian therapists who are way off and will mess with your head and non-Christian therapists who will support you in your faith as much as they can because they believe that is their job. A good therapist, non or Christian, is trained to go through step by step life skills if needed and help you towards a more manageable, healthy outcome. How you apply your faith to that is up to you, not up to a Buddhist therapist. Anyways just my 2 cents.....Gayle

[Reg]

Hi Abbey,

Don't know much about BPT but don't like the fact that a part of it is based on Buddhism.

Here is a book I just finished reading that I think may help you.

The Secret Things Of God: Unlocking The Treasures Reserved For You ...
http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Things-God-Unlocking-Treasures/dp/1416563601

The books he and John Townsend have written have helped me immensely.

[Reg]

Follow up.......

Here's a book video you can watch....

Henry Cloud -- The Secret Things of God -- Book Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXBCLJ3sLpQ

[abbey]

wait wait...

She didnt say I couldnt go to a Christian counselor. I didnt even mention Chrstianity. She said Im not allowed to go to any other therapy. The buddist part is a technique called 'mindfullnes' its when if you want to act impusively, you sit down and focus on your breathing or an object n the room. This is a focus/relaxation/control technique. To control behavior. See we are trying to stop me from my impulsive behavior.

Im going today and start a year long session this week.

Even more confused abbey

[abbey]

let me explain this a little further.

Borderlnes are very difficult to treat. They theorize that this is a bio/enviro illness. Keep in mind, I HAVE IT! Im positive!

Now, for years they couldnt figure out how to treat this disease. So this chick came up with 'skills' to help us folks deal with life in a more effective and healthy way. When I attended the class, I was floored, FLOORED, cuz theyere describing my behaviors to a T! Therapists all around the globe have been unable to treat BPs cuz were so difficult. And I am! I know this! lol...Yes its secular, but arent medicines and cognitive therapies also? Maybe ill just give it a go and if it gets creepy, Ill go to that christian therapist. I actually need to get out twice a week as im locked up.

My spiritual mentor said to go and apply any meditative skill to my christian beliefs. as I stated the ONLY technique buddist related is one, mindfullness. and as I explained, its a calming technique. The other skills and such are simply ideas to help me manage my behaviors. Like stop the self-sabatoge, impulsivity, quit blowing up my relationshhips, increase self-esteem.

20 seesion with a Christian wont do that! It wont even break the surface. sooooooooooo......love yas

[Honeybee12]

Abbey,

You've got two great pieces of armor with you going into this therapy.

One: The Holy Spirit - He's going to give you the heads up if something is off, this you can count on!

Two: SA Experience - You're much more aware of abuse or things that don't seem right way more than others who haven't. I say just pray for sweet protection before you go :)

I think it's a great thing to try out. Who knows? Maybe God gave these therapists the wisdom to learn how to treat God-loved, God-made individuals with BPD. Maybe, just maybe you'll be able to show some light there and not even know it?

I mean, for goodness sake.. you shine light here in this forum all the time!

Shine on girl!

Honeybee