Luckyforward

I've been lucky with my docs; all very conversive and dialogical. I have a psychiatrist friend that is a great doc and he and I compare carry firearms when we meet. And over the years I've had a few patients who felt I was their problem and presented a clear threat. MNPD was helpful when I reported the threat. They asked me if I had a HCP and carried and I told them I did and they encouraged me to stay safe.

You are correct; there are therapists out there whose marketing and clinical practices is based on the buck.

I am sincerely humbled by your comments . . .

Garufa, you are correct. I have about 55 minutes with a client once a week. The first session is an intake session in which I have to take an extensive history. The next week's second session is where we determine what the client wants to accomplish in therapy and a treatment plan is created. Moving forward with the client, depending on their need, we will meet weekly or bi-weekly for that 50-55 minute session that focuses on whatever issue, concern, worry, etc. that the client brings with them when they walk in the door based on their treatment plan. By the time I join a client in their anxiety, fear, depression, confusion, joy, etc., and help them reach some sense of assisting with their struggles, the "treatment hour" is over. Secondly, well trained therapists allow the client to set the agenda for the discussion. I can honestly say that I have never walked into a session with an agenda about any issue that "I think the client needs to hear." Google "client centered therapy" for more information. A competent therapist never "indoctrinates", tells you what to do or think, or has a predetermined agenda. A long time client thanked me for my efforts and keeping the focus on his issues. He stated, "You have always helped me with 'my stuff' and been there for me." That's my goal in helping someone. If the correct focus is on the client there is no time for the therapist to push "their stuff."

So the fault is mine. I started using the Comic Sans font bolded because of my sight problems! LOL This is the default font that I have trouble seeing it so in trying another I made it equally difficult! I have changed the font back to the default

Friends, I'd like to offer some perspective as a mental health professional. Not trying to argue or start a conflict. I've been doing this for 40 years so my words do not come so much from an earned doctorate but from practical experience. I applaud each and every one of you who are willing to take a call from a friend in crisis and/or hold their firearms for them. God bless each and every one of you. But in a moment of personal crisis, a friend may not want to make themselves vulnerable to you, thus, talking with an anonymous person on a national lifeline may be their best option. Allow me to offer some feedback on the national suicide hotlines. I have worked on them. Many of you distrust them, so I am going to tell you how they work. You may believe me or not; your choice. Again, I am not seeking to start a conflict - just offering enlightenment and it is your choice what you do with it. If you call 988 or any other lifeline you will be asked a few screening questions which have one purpose: to route you to the closest suicide hotline in your area. If you are in the Nashville area and call 988, your call will go to Family and Children's Service who has the contract to operate the suicide hotline in Middle Tennessee. A few screening questions will be asked, but whether they are answered or not, the trained telephone responder has only one goal: to persuade the caller to accept help. What the hotlines DO NOT DO: they do not trace calls. They have no way to find out who the caller is. They have no means to call emergency services UNLESS the caller offers their address. There is no attempt to take firearms away. No databases of names are kept and turned over to LEOs or anyone else. In the moment a call comes from a suicidal person, the only agenda is to talk to them long enough that they give their address for EMTs to come to them or hopefully calm the person to the extent when they hang up on you, hopefully, they will not take their life. The cops are called ONLY if the caller gives their address. These call centers do not have the funds for equipment to trace calls. Doesn't matter if you use your own cellphone, a burner phone, or (for anyone who still has one!) a wired phone - there is not money in these agencies to acquire such technology, even if it exists. Call center workers have some background in mental health and are trained to talk with someone long enough that they will give their address and allow emergency services to respond. IF THE CALLER DOES NOT OFFER THEIR ADDRESS THERE IS NO WAY TO DIRECT ANYONE TO HELP THEM. THERE IS NO "SECRET SYSTEM" TO FIND OUT WHO THEY ARE OR WHERE THEY LIVE. So I have worked in such a call center. On a very cold night in January a gentleman called me and talked about taking his life. He wouldn't give me his address and then - as now - I had no way to trace it. The only thing I had was my training as a mental health therapist to get him to talk; if I could get him to talk as long as possible the hope is that his emotion would lessen, match his logic, give me his address and I could get 911 to him so he could get to an ED. We talked for four hours. At the end, I heard a huge "BANG" and the line went dead. As did the caller. I still have dreams about what else I could have said . . . I never knew who he was or where he lived. We had no way to trace the call. Guys, this isn't about "red flag" laws, tracing phone calls, or "the government." Hotlines try to keep people alive. And when they do not, the hotline worker gets counseling because of the massive guilt and disappointment they feel. Because when the caller kills themselves, the hotline worker feels like a failure. I know . . . None of you know me and none of you have any reason to believe me, but if the only thing you can get a friend to do is to call a national/state lifeline . . . get them to call. I have offered my perspective and am not going to argue/justify my words. Accept or reject these statements as you wish. And may life be good to you all.

I've seen a few here in South Nashville.

By the way, there has long been a rumor that if you call a lifeline, they "trace your call and come get you." This is not true. All calls to hotlines are completely confidential. Below is some supplemental information. What Happens When You Contact 988 About Suicide? Beginning July 16, 2022, you can call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It's a new way to reach free, live support if you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide, a mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. The Lifeline has been around since 2005 at (800) 273-8255 (TALK), and you will still be able to reach it 24/7 at that number. This new three-digit calling code will just make it easier to remember and dial. When You Call 988 If you call 988, you’ll first hear a greeting message that will give you options to connect to the Veterans Crisis Line, access help in Spanish, or remain on the line while your call is routed to your local Lifeline network crisis center. This is based on your area code. If your local crisis center is unable to answer, your call will go to another Lifeline center. Around 200 independent, locally owned and operated crisis centers work in the Lifeline network, and there are plans to expand and improve the network with the launch of 988. Once your call is routed, a trained counselor will answer the phone. They will listen, provide support, and share resources if needed. Their main goal is to support you in your moment of distress. If they feel you are in danger, the counselor may discuss connecting you to local emergency services like 911, but first they will do everything they can to help you with a less invasive plan to keep you safe. Fewer than 2% of Lifeline calls involve local emergency services and more than half of those are with the caller’s consent. When You Online Chat or Text 988 If you prefer to chat with a counselor on a computer, go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat. The Lifeline has provided online chat services since 2013 and these will continue after the launch of 988. Before you begin the chat, you’ll be asked to fill out a quick survey to share a little bit about yourself, your main struggle and how you’re feeling. This will help your counselor best support you from the start of your conversation. You’ll see a message while you wait for a crisis counselor to join your chat. A counselor will answer your chat as soon as one is available. They will ask you questions about your safety, feelings, social situation, and if you have any thoughts of suicide. If needed, the chat counselor will work with you to create a safety plan or contact local emergency services. If there is a long wait to chat with someone, you’ll get a message to let you know. While you wait, you can check out online resources from the Lifeline, which are linked on the chat webpage, or call 988 to speak with someone right away. The chat’s busiest times are between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. EST. Starting July 16, you can also text 988 from your cell phone. A counselor from a Lifeline crisis center will respond. They may or may not be local. In the next few years texting service will grow to include more local crisis centers. No matter how you access 988, the goal is to help ease your stress and give you tools to make healthy choices. Not Only for Suicide Prevention 988 isn’t just for suicide concerns. It’s also a resource for anyone who is going through a crisis related to substance use or mental health, and anyone worried about a loved one who may need support. “Anyone who is depressed, going through a hard time, needs to talk, or is thinking about suicide” can contact 988, according to the Lifeline’s website. The website states that counselors “are here to listen and support you through whatever difficult times you may be facing.” Free and Confidential Any time you reach out to 988, your calls, texts and chats will be confidential. This means that your information will not be shared without your consent, unless your or someone else’s safety is in immediate danger. Your chats with 988 are secured with the same data protection standards that major financial institutions use. Anything you type to a counselor is encrypted from your computer to theirs. You do not need to provide any personal information in order to use 988. Anytime someone asks you for personal data it will only be used to connect you to ongoing support or to help Lifeline improve its services. Your information will never be sold. The U.S. government funds 988 and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, making it free for anyone to use. Your phone company may charge you standard rates for texts and calls.

I am sincerely very sorry for your loss. I am a licensed psychotherapist in Tennessee and echo your thoughts. We can all check on our friends and there are resources out there to remind folks that they can reach out. If they won't talk with family or friends, encourage friends to reach out to a lifeline.