“The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Crack-Up.

Many consumers seek a quick fix.  They go to a variety of untrained “therapists” searching for a remedy for instant gratification.  Others seek a psychiatrist or a psychopharmacologist for a quick fix.  He/she prescribes meds.  Psychologists, by far, do research.  Some do counseling.  Social workers treat the individual, family — in society — in the “outer” environment.  Some are trained to do “therapy.”   Psychoanalysts are the only profession that requires one’s own ‘good enough’ therapy.  No one can anyone any further (emotionally) than one has gone oneself.

Freud taught us and we as a society have not accepted, the fact that life is tragic.  There are real limitations; everything is a tradeoff.  No one can have a free lunch.  He said, “We’re not getting out of this alive (paraphrased).”  He said there is a life instinct:  Eros, but there is also Thanatos, a death instinct.  And there is real death.  Freud was a mournful meditator.  He was not Dale Carnegie or Tony Robbins.   He didn’t say “Read this book and you’re going to be happy and get everything you want.”  He wasn’t saying that at all… and I don’t think we’ve picked up on his humble and tragic message.

Why not consider a Second Opinion in mental health?    http://www.LanaAckaway.com