Starting Over Talk - Peer Coaching Support Site

Hello. I'm a PhD student in clinical psych. I have become a big fan of SO. I have really learned a lot, both about myself, but also about doing therapy and working with clients.

I was just wondering if any other mental health professionals are fans, and if there would be any interest in starting a thread where we can discuss SO, what we have learned from it, and any experiences we have with techniques used on the show (keeping everything confidential of course).

I have recently spoken with a co-worker who is going to be starting what she calls an "experiential" group for women with traumatic experiences. What she described was very SO. I'm really fascinated by the SO techniques . . .

Well, I hope to hear from the other mental health professionals out there!

I was a social worker before I got into what I am doing now (I teach at a two year college and run a computer center for a non-profit community service agency) and that is part of how I got interested in SO. It's teaching me alot!!

I am an ADD Coach and currently working on my degree in human services. I really like the show but am also concerned that much of what the coaches do goes beyond coaching and moves in the realm of therapy.

I am a psychologist and clinical nurse specialist (mental health). WHile I think SO is great for laymen, I have the expectation that we as MH profs should be going deeper with our patients. This is the discreet difference between work with a coach vs. work with a licensed person. If you work from a cognitive-behavioral perspective the line becomes very blurry. What's the diff between coaching and cog-b work?

I don't see any.

Admittedly I am a purist. I have studied psychoanalytic theory for 15 years, as well as formal dream analysis. My work with patients is focussed specifically on the analysis of the unconscious. My patients do get better and do leave treatment with a profound awareness of themselves and theor deeper issues....

So why do I watch? I really admire these women who want help... they want it so badly they'll go public! They are courageous.... I do wish the deeper issues would be addressed, but in this context I don't see how it's possible...

Anyway that's my $.02

If there was a MH prof. board, I would probably be interested...

PeggyHill

p.s. I've met Dr. Stan and was scheduled to train under him many years ago, but the schedule changed!

Ok first.. I'm not a therapist lol I just wanted to throw out a question to those more 'in the know'.

How do you feel about what SO did with Kim in bringing in her mother at this stage in her life.. rushing through the process like they did. Do you believe that Kim will suffer reprocussions from this and that she and her mom really do need extensive therapy that that should have been done prior to being on this show for starting over 'counseling'?

I think right now Kim is in a whirlwind of emotions and doesn't know where to turn or what to do with them all.. she isn't getting much understanding from the other hgs. It was the coaches and stan that brought her mom into the scenario giving Kim harsh truths that in one case, validating she was in her mom's way, second choice, unwanted etc. How does that validation serve a purpose? I believe she hoped to find out otherwise.. yes it was hard facts but couldn't they have presented it a little differently? Are they going to now push her toward a relationship with her mom or help her deal with those leftover feelings of the visit? For so many reasons in Kim's case I think SO crossed the line between therapy and counseling.

Can anyone enlighten us on their thoughts about this?

I agree with some of your concerns. I think the process was rushed and Kim really didn't have time to prepare. If she doesn't get aftercare support in one way or another, the main risk as I see it is that the anger (rage) has been opened up but she has no skills to contain or control it. She understands it in a basic way but not really deeply. That is what's necessary to integtrate an experience like Kim's and not simply attempt to buiry it.

That being said... I think she could benefit from the process if she has aftercare of some sort... individual therapy. She might alos benefit from counselling sessions with her mother, but what seems to be unfolding is that the marriage is in BIG trouble! There are problems in the relationship and Kim's issues/contribution is not the only factor. And now we are learning that she has concerns about his drinking (and didn't he have an affair? He needs to work on his issues about their marriage too!) And there's now a child...

Aftercare will be the Key for Kim, because an awful lot has been seared open.

PeggyHill
(I am a psychologist.)