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Look into CBT, which would usually give the patient some tasks (jotting notes when the problem they seek help for happens and how problematic/stressful it is on

Look into CBT, which would usually give the patient some tasks (jotting notes when the problem they seek help for happens and how problematic/stressful it is on a 1-5 scale, what happens when they apply some breathing techniques to cope with it, what happened before/after, etc.). Also, phobia treatment where the therapist can walk with you on a bridge to help you overcome fear of height, etc. More broadly though, the conversation you can have with a therapist has a lot more going on than a regular discussion. Without getting into the details of every school I think it's fair to say that these conversations are guided in subtle and not subtle ways to lead the patient to introspection and self-reflection much more than a drink between buddies at a bar would (which is usually what people on HN tend argue when criticizing talk therapies). Therapists have to assess where the patient stands and feel how far the patient can be pushed to change their outlook on a situation or accept it. Put in another way: a debate is also more than a discussion, same applies to therapy.

Swizec 4y ago
Got it. Sounds like the distinction hinges on how one defines “discussion” To your point at the end: the dictionary on iOS defines discussion as “a conversation or debate about a certain topic” I can certainly agree that therapy is a guided discussion :)
- comfypotato 4y ago
  Obviously the only thing that typically happens in a therapist’s office is talking and note-taking. That’s no different than plenty of business meetings. If you want to label those business meetings as just “discussion” you wouldn’t be wrong, but they’re also business meetings. The communication modality of therapy is voice. Why do you have to ask that here?
  - Swizec 4y ago
    > Why do you have to ask that here? Because I like to ask questions to improve my understanding of the world when I notice someone seems to know something I don’t. Almost like we’re discussing things on a discussion forum.
    - comfypotato 4y ago
      Lol, I came back to remove said snarky remark before you saw it, but you beat me to the punch. I was frustrated by the naivety of your question in that it implies many folks have no idea what therapy is (and often take a negative attitude, which you’re not doing) and I took it out on you. Sorry.

Swizec 4y ago

Got it. Sounds like the distinction hinges on how one defines “discussion” To your point at the end: the dictionary on iOS defines discussion as “a conversation or debate about a certain topic” I can certainly agree that therapy is a guided discussion :)

comfypotato 4y ago
Obviously the only thing that typically happens in a therapist’s office is talking and note-taking. That’s no different than plenty of business meetings. If you want to label those business meetings as just “discussion” you wouldn’t be wrong, but they’re also business meetings. The communication modality of therapy is voice. Why do you have to ask that here?
- Swizec 4y ago
  > Why do you have to ask that here? Because I like to ask questions to improve my understanding of the world when I notice someone seems to know something I don’t. Almost like we’re discussing things on a discussion forum.
  - comfypotato 4y ago
    Lol, I came back to remove said snarky remark before you saw it, but you beat me to the punch. I was frustrated by the naivety of your question in that it implies many folks have no idea what therapy is (and often take a negative attitude, which you’re not doing) and I took it out on you. Sorry.