Did anyone else have a terrible experience with therapy?

I get so fed up with all the people recommending therapy or meditation. I've only ever had either a neutral or negative experience with traditional talk therapy. And meditation makes me more anxious. I would just like some alternative suggestions. I personally had a good experience with acupuncture, rolfing, and massage. I would like to try reiki to see what that's about. I'm also curious about EDMR.

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Graylight · 51-55, F

You can't really experience EMDR without therapy. Other practices like acupuncture, massage, mindful meditation can all be helpful in alleviating symptoms, but they're not a cure. They don't treat the root of a problem.

The only thing that does that is a shift in thinking and that can be hard to bring about on your own. Talk therapy, or CBT, is considered the gold standard of mental health therapy. There're several reasons possible why it's not working for you. You may not be open to it yet, whether or not you think you are. You may not be willing to face some truth, which is the case with many of us. Or maybe you just have run into the wrong therapists. The number one determining factor in success when working with a therapist is the interpersonal relationship they form. Until you're comfortable and feel that space is safe and sacred, you're not going to open up. Keep looking. Keep searching. But keep in mind that the answers are all inside you.

If you try and still can't find a therapist, you may want to look into an outdoor course like Outward Bound or the similar for adults. Pushing oneself within a safe setting and using realistic boundaries to surprise yourself positively can also have a tremendous effect on a person. Good luck.