Question by Sparky: Professional psychiatric help – what would they actually do?
Background: My exceptionally brilliant emotionally repressed girlfriend of two years, who was the victim of some sort of childhood trauma or another (probably not sexual) lost control of her ability to regulate her emotions, told me she loved me for the first time since we’ve been together, and has been having great difficulty letting me back into her life because she thinks (or recognizes) that I’m the source of her problems.

Huh, I should always write the intros that short. ^
Even though she seems to be doing better, the topic of seeking professional help came up over lunch. The result is that I feel like an ass.

I suggested that a professional therapist might be able to help her out, to which she replied quite bluntly, “you believe me to be inadequate.” A statement, not a question mind you.

I tried to explain that it would be for her benefit, not mine. She rather quickly cut through that, though, saying she was – I think the words were – “correcting any psychological difficulties.” In many ways I believe she’s capable of this. Just over the past week she’s managed to regain a lot of her composure, though her apartment’s still a terrible mess.

I don’t have any formal training in psychology, but I know pretty well how her mind works – and I understand her far better than I figure some wacky therapist could. Granted there’s still a great deal about her that she’s kept completely hidden from me. If she hasn’t told me those things after two years of intimacy, I don’t think a psychologist would have much hope.

So what would they actually do? Keep in mind this isn’t for “couples counseling,” it’s for her.
Tina Joy, I think your answer is wildly unhelpful.

I know the difference between psychiatrists / psychologists / therapists. Human beings are judgmental by nature (anybody who claims otherwise is dishonest), she would recognize that the purpose of a mental health professional of any type would be to judge mental problems and then suggest corrections.

Best answer:

Answer by Tina Joy
You have been misinformed my friend. It is the therapists who do all of the hard work and rewire the brain thinking. Psychiatrists are the ones who prescribe the medication. Psychologists are too expensive. I think you were right to suggest such an option to your girlfriend. Your suggestion shows that you truly do care about her mental wellness and that you want her to be happy in herself. Mental help does not mean inadequacy. I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed that mostly normal, nice, healthy people seek psychiatric aid to help them deal with the crazies. I understand how she could have been insulted by your what you said, but she needs to understand it was only because you care about her. If it comes up again, I suggest telling her that it might feel good to talk to someone who is insightful and nonjudgmental

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