the dilemma of opening up

[coraljune]

I've been told that I don't get very personal (very often) in here. When I do, I usually keep it vague enough to be factually useless despite the emotional TMI. I tend to write about things that happen in my life or in the world, I post memes, or I ask questions of my readers to get away with not actually having to say anything. Some of my posts

Comments

[giabean]

what type of therapist are you?

[coraljune]

I always forget that nowadays, with OTs, PTs, Speech, etc, I need to specify. I'm a psychotherapist. I'll have my doctorate in Clinical Psychology in a year or so, pending my dissertation.

[giabean]

I think I knew that, but I was actually referring to your specialty, I guess. I started out in psychology. Got my BA & have 2 classes left to finish the MA. Left the program & got an MA in education instead. My goal was a PhD in clinical psych specializing in grief therapy. Not sure if/when I will go back. I recently started volunteering with Alzheimer patients (another love of mine). I would consider gerontology also.

[coraljune]

Oh, gotcha.
I had always wanted to work with children, adolescents, and families, and I guess I should clarify that I still do. Though now that I do that work, I also realize what a treat it is to work with a garden-variety neurotic depressed adult. It's so much easier! When they're all hard cases, the work is exceptionally draining and (for me) a recipe for burnout.

I started out specializing in trauma/family violence/abuse. Then I found out that I was also really good with depression. Now, I'm also working with Autism spectrum kids (which I never had any interest in, honestly, but now seems like it could be a really good fit for my energy and my high-affect personality).

I still feel like I have a calling to work with victims/survivors (whatever your semantic preference) of trauma, and I love that treating depression comes intuitively on top of my training. I'm good at trauma, and I get it, but it's hard on me emotionally. I'm good with depression too, and it isn't so draining. I also really like working with people with

[mugoi_usagi]

So...*hugs* it's okay to be normal. I think dealing with crazy people gives you more right than others to be perfectly normal. You don't have to try to amaze us with your brillance or wit.

I feel the same way when I write things and people don't respond. It's probably just that either they don't have anything to say to or about it, or they don't know what to say. It's not that we don't care about you! ^_^

on another note, is it just me or do we all sound sick for saying things like, "Boy I love talking to depressed people and other people with serious issues!" Man...we must be masochists! ^_^; But hey, I'm looking forward to it! ^_^

[coraljune]

I know, but thanks for saying so :)   It's still good to hear.

And yes, it does sound so strange, doesn't it? Those without any inclination whatsoever to talk to people like this must think we're all nuts.

[mugoi_usagi]

Hey, as long as we like it! I mean, I've gotta be INSANE to want to try to work with angry couples! What the hell put that thought into my head? Oh well!

[coraljune]

Oh, I don't know about insane. If you reframe it in terms of what is probably more psychologically accurate at deeper, more primal levels and the roots of the most common couple-based problems, you're talking about working with couples who are hurt, disappointed, and afraid. What they show on the surface is anger, but that's not where you do most of the work.

I don't see anything crazy about wanting to help people who are scared, sad, or in pain feel better. And that's essentially what you're talking about when you get right down to it. I think it's wonderful.

[lilacsmack]

I enjoy reading anything on my f-list. I try to respond to anything that seems to need a response. Please post as you feel comfortable. I find that sometimes I write more for myself than anyone else, though comments are always appreciated. I enjoy seeing that you've responded to something I've written, it's validating.

And if you're interested in writing about your work, of course I'd like to read that too.

[coraljune]

Thank you :)

About writing about work, I'd like to do more of that myself. I often think about it, but sometimes things are really situational, or my thoughts relate to aspects of someone's circumstances or history that could be potentially revealing. My obligation to protect the confidentiality (and identity!) of my patients trumps my desire to talk about my work. (And in my professionally paranoid world where my friends all have the most amazing psychic powers, I'm keenly aware that seemingly innocuous details could theoretically, conceivably, in that psychic-world, be identifying.)

I could talk instead about generalities, but without the meat of underlying details I wonder if any of it would even make sense?

I'll think more on this. Good to know that you'd be interested enough in reading it.

[oldsoulpatrol]

i understand and i think it's smart to be guarded on a computer. god knows who's really reading this shit. and on the same token why publish and air out problems.. some people have nothing to lose.. others shouldn't be writing shit down. hence our quality convo. which i have to say i need to do more with you. i love you. i miss you. i need you. if you don't feel like omitting lock your shit up only for a select few. i have 1 list with just one person on it. wonder who that is.

[coraljune]

Honey, I omit with almost everyone. Just because I like or trust someone enough to make it onto a friends list or filter, doesn't mean it's any easier or that the dilemma vanishes. Eh, whatever.

As far as being guarded, I try to keep things like real names or places of employment protected. In the service of that, if I were to address you by name in a comment you left, I'd probably say "oldsoul, I think that blahbetyblah" instead of using your real name, just because I don't want to violate anyone's privacy or anonymity here. Other than that, I tend to see emotional guardedness and practical online safety guardedness as largely different constructs.

It's Brittany, right? ;->

[kitty42]

Damn, you articulate your thoughts well.

Miss you.

[coraljune]

Thanks! I miss you too.
(Just a couple days ago, in fact, I was remembering that trip you made up here to Brooklyn and then extended to stay a day with me, and how much fun we had! Yeah, I miss you a lot.)