knowing myself

[evergreenheart]

it's funny how sometimes, people would ask me for help when they are down because I major in psychology. I know this because sometimes, when I said "I don't know", they would sound surprised and respond with: "But you're the psychologist! Help me get out of this emotional rut.", "You're supposed to know the answers

Comments

[inertiam]

Can I ask you what you think (not the "answer" mind you, just what you think) of Albert Ellis & his REBT?

[inertiam]

& my favorite professors were always the ones who'd regularly say things like, "I don't know (or I don't remember the specifics) but I'll help you find where to look;" or things to the effect of "You know, I'm not sure there's a definitive answer to that, but there's a few ideas about it."

[evergreenheart]

yes, I agree :D

I had to look up Albert Ellis (how sad)! I think i only came across him during my Intro to Psych course, umm, 4 years ago as a freshman. Shame on me!! oh well.

but it's important to try and see which therapy works best for the person, depending on the situation. I'll read more about it and let you know what i think.

[inertiam]

Cool! After I read an interview w/ him I was curious about the validity of his claims regarding the effectiveness of his method.

[he's such a loveable old cantankerous atheist curmudgeon. i kind of wish he could be my grandfather.]

[nebulousmaze]

I know nothing about psychology or the theories related to it, but people still ask me for help when they feel down. I suspect it's more to do with reaching out to someone that "we think" can help. While this is alright at a moderate level, too much of this can become an annoyance quickly. It's one of those previleges that people abuse very quickly.

we're all trying to understand ourselves better.
Good point. Yeah, if you include the world/universe that we live into your definition of "ourselves", then that explains the scientific quest too (physics, math, engineering, and so on).