Therapy Hasn't Helped - The Dr. Laura Podcast

Summary4 min read

Podcast Summary: Dr. Laura Call of the Day – "Therapy Hasn't Helped"

Release Date: June 10, 2025
Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Platform: SiriusXM Triumph 111

Introduction

In the episode titled "Therapy Hasn't Helped," Dr. Laura Schlessinger engages in a candid and insightful conversation with a caller named Kristin. The discussion delves deep into Kristin's long-term struggle with depression, her experiences with various treatments, and the challenges she has faced in seeking effective mental health support.

Kristin’s Journey with Depression

Initial Diagnosis and Treatment

Kristin reaches out to Dr. Laura seeking advice on managing depression, revealing that she has been grappling with the condition since she was 21 years old.

Kristin (01:00): "I wanted to know what you think the first plan of action would be for somebody who's newly diagnosed with depression."

Dr. Laura probes into the specifics of Kristin's diagnosis, seeking to understand the circumstances that led her to seek help.

Dr. Laura (01:06): "Well, everybody has traumatic events. But what was your problem? What were you experiencing? What were your symptoms that made you go in for a diagnosis?"

Kristin shares that her symptoms included panic attacks, social anxiety, insomnia, extreme fatigue, and a diminished quality of life.

Kristin (01:25): "Panic attack. Terrible. Like social anxiety, things like trouble sleeping, being extremely tired, not able to live life like I once was."

Treatment History

Kristin reveals that she was diagnosed by a psychiatrist who promptly prescribed antidepressants after just one visit.

Kristin (02:27): "I was just put on antidepressants. Right away."

She has been on over a dozen antidepressants and various therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), over the past 15 years.

Kristin (06:33): "I've been on over a dozen antidepressants, anti anxiety, antipsychotic medicines. I've done CBT, DBT."

Dr. Laura’s Perspective on Kristin’s Treatment

Evaluation of Previous Therapy

Dr. Laura questions the effectiveness of Kristin's therapy experiences, suggesting that despite long-term treatment, Kristin has not achieved the desired improvement.

Dr. Laura (07:10): "You’re not newly diagnosed. This happened 15 years ago."

When Kristin mentions having a therapist for two years, Dr. Laura expresses skepticism about the therapist's effectiveness.

Dr. Laura (07:29): "A good therapist. Okay, you obviously have not had one of those."
Dr. Laura (08:34): "Maybe you ought not be in the same clinic."

She critiques the dependency that prolonged therapy can foster, emphasizing the importance of fostering independence and self-reliance.

Dr. Laura (09:03): "Keeps a person dependent, weak, and not feeling confident in themselves? No, I don't think that's good."

Recommendations for Moving Forward

Dr. Laura suggests that Kristin may have been on the wrong path for the past 15 years and that a different approach is necessary.

Dr. Laura (09:35): "Yes. Mine's from the standpoint of being a professional."

She encourages Kristin to seek new avenues and expresses doubt that her current therapeutic environment is beneficial.

Dr. Laura (09:46): "I think you've been searching the wrong place for 15 years, and I think nobody's directed you to the right path."

Key Insights and Conclusions

Importance of Effective Therapy: Dr. Laura highlights that not all therapy is beneficial. The effectiveness of therapy largely depends on the quality of the therapeutic relationship and the methods employed.
Avoiding Dependency: Extended therapy without fostering independence can lead to dependency, undermining the individual’s confidence and ability to manage their mental health autonomously.
Re-evaluating Treatment Plans: Long-term treatment without significant improvement suggests the need for re-evaluation. Exploring alternative therapies or different therapeutic approaches may be necessary.
Empowerment and Personal Responsibility: Emphasizing personal responsibility and empowerment is crucial in overcoming depression. Patients should be encouraged to develop self-reliance alongside professional support.

Notable Quotes

Dr. Laura (07:10): "You’re not newly diagnosed. This happened 15 years ago."
Dr. Laura (07:29): "A good therapist. Okay, you obviously have not had one of those."
Dr. Laura (09:03): "Keeps a person dependent, weak, and not feeling confident in themselves? No, I don't think that's good."
Dr. Laura (09:46): "I think you've been searching the wrong place for 15 years, and I think nobody's directed you to the right path."

Final Thoughts

Dr. Laura concludes the conversation by expressing her wish for Kristin's success in finding the right path to managing her depression. She encourages listeners to engage with her through social media for more resources and support.

Dr. Laura (09:46): "I wish you well with your search, but I think you've been searching the wrong place for 15 years, and I think nobody's directed you to the right path."

This episode offers a critical examination of long-term depression treatment and underscores the necessity of effective, empowering therapeutic practices. Dr. Laura's no-nonsense approach provides valuable insights for individuals seeking meaningful solutions to their mental health challenges.

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Transcript81 lines

[00:00]
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[00:31]
Dr. Laura
Thanks for listening to my Call of the Day podcast. You can hear my live radio program Monday through Friday from 2 to 5pm Eastern Time on Sirius XM Triumph 111. Kristin, welcome to the program.
[00:45]
Kristin
Yes. Thank you for having me.
[00:47]
Dr. Laura
You're welcome. How can I help?
[00:50]
Kristin
I wanted to know what you think the first plan of action would be for somebody who's newly diagnosed with depression.
[01:00]
Dr. Laura
I'm sorry, what was happening to you that made you go for a diagnosis?
[01:06]
Kristin
A traumatic event?
[01:10]
Dr. Laura
Well, everybody has traumatic events. But what was your problem? What were you experiencing? What were your symptoms that made you go in for a diagnosis?
[01:26]
Kristin
Panic attack. Terrible. Like social anxiety, things like trouble sleeping, being extremely tired, not able to live life like I once was.
[01:42]
Dr. Laura
And when did you switch into this mode? How long ago?
[01:53]
Kristin
1. Well, in rel. Like in relation to the traumatic event or.
[01:59]
Dr. Laura
No, you're 36 years old and we're at the end of May 2025. I just want to know at what point in your life did you switch from how you used to be that you just talked about, mentioned to what you went to get help for?
[02:18]
Kristin
Right.
[02:18]
Dr. Laura
What happened? Well, what was this? How long ago did this happen? Days? Hours? Months? Years? I'm just trying to get an understanding.
[02:28]
Kristin
I know. Full disclosure, I've actually been diagnosed and been treated for it since I was 21. I was wondering from your perspective as a doctor, what do you think I should basically like, should have done? And so, I'm sorry, at 21, you.
[02:48]
Dr. Laura
Went to see if. Who did you go to see that diagnosed you? An internist, A psychiatrist? Who diagnosed you?
[02:55]
Kristin
It was a psychiatrist, yes.
[02:58]
Dr. Laura
Okay. And then what did you. The psychologist said you're depressed. And then what happened? Were you given names?
[03:07]
Kristin
Were you immediately.
[03:08]
Dr. Laura
Did they talk to you? Did they put you in a psychiatric hospital? What happened?
[03:13]
Kristin
No, I was just put on antidepressants. Right away.
[03:18]
Dr. Laura
Right away?
[03:20]
Kristin
Yeah.
[03:20]
Dr. Laura
Who made out the script? Because psychologists can't. Only MDs can. So who made out the script to get you the meds? A psychiatrist and how long did you see the psychiatrist before you got the meds?
[03:36]
Kristin
I mean, it was really, really quick. I mean it was basically one visit and that was it.
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[05:56]
Dr. Laura
Did you have your blood's taken? So we knew levels of things like cortisol and estrogen and thyroid and stuff like that. Did anybody do any testing first or they just drug you?
[06:16]
Kristin
That's what I'm wondering. I mean I just. I don't have the greatest memory of that time in my life. So I want to believe that yes that happened, but I can't say for sure.
[06:28]
Dr. Laura
So between 21 and 36, which is. Where are you today? What have you been doing with your life?
[06:34]
Kristin
Oh, my gosh, so many things. Dr. Laura, I've been on over. I've been on over a dozen antidepressants, anti anxiety, antipsychotic medicines. I've done cbt, dbt. I've had.
[06:52]
Dr. Laura
Why are you calling about what to do with your diagnosis? It sounds like you've been spending 15 years doing things with it.
[06:59]
Kristin
This is true. I wanted to get your perspective on, like what you would say to somebody that was newly diagnosed.
[07:06]
Dr. Laura
But you're not newly diagnosed. This happened 15 years ago.
[07:11]
Kristin
I know, you're right. But maybe you would have something to offer that I haven't tried yet.
[07:20]
Dr. Laura
Yeah, a good therapist. Okay, you obviously have not had one of those.
[07:30]
Kristin
I have.
[07:32]
Dr. Laura
No. If you had a really good therapist, we wouldn't be talking today.
[07:37]
Kristin
I know, but she retired.
[07:40]
Dr. Laura
No, we wouldn't be talking today. If she was a really good therapist. If she was just sort of a mommy that you went and talked to all the time and felt better by talking, that's not improving. So that you can be independent.
[07:53]
Kristin
Okay.
[07:55]
Dr. Laura
That was a comfortable therapist, not necessarily a good one.
[08:00]
Kristin
Okay.
[08:03]
Dr. Laura
I mean, it's like bird leaving the nest. We assume you can fly if you're getting help. How long did you see this person, by the way? Years. Months.
[08:16]
Kristin
Yeah, I was with her for two years, and then she retired and she referred me to her, another person in the practice, and then she retired. So right now I'm shopping for a new one. In the same clinic.
[08:35]
Dr. Laura
Maybe you ought not be in the same clinic.
[08:38]
Kristin
You think so?
[08:41]
Dr. Laura
Well, you've been seeing therapists and you haven't gotten any help. Now, you could be particularly resistant and a pain in the butt about it, but to spend two years and you can't fly out of the nest yet has me concerned.
[08:58]
Kristin
Well, but don't you think. Is it not healthy to just be. To have a therapist that you see regularly just for. Even if it doesn't really seem like anything is wrong?
[09:10]
Dr. Laura
No. Keeps a person dependent, weak, and not feeling confident in themselves? No, I don't think that's good.
[09:21]
Kristin
Oh, I'm surprised by that answer.
[09:25]
Dr. Laura
Okay. Well.
[09:29]
Kristin
I mean, it's just a different point of view.
[09:36]
Dr. Laura
Yes. Mine's from the standpoint of being a professional.
[09:41]
Kristin
Yeah. Thank you so much for your time today.
[09:46]
Dr. Laura
You're very welcome. And I wish you well with your search, but I think you've been searching the wrong place for 15 years, and I think nobody's directed you to the right path. Frankly, that's what I really believe. Sometimes life is such that we want to stay connected to an umbilical cord. My number 1-800-375-2872. Check out my social media on Facebook and Instagram. I post stories, photos and videos seven days a week and feature some of what you've sent me, too. There's always something interesting going on there. You can find me at facebook.com drlaura and instagram.com drlauraprogram.
[10:39]
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[10:43]
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[10:45]
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[10:47]
Customer
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[10:47]
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[10:48]
Customer
Oh, send a set of golf clubs.
[10:49]
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Oh. Hole in one.
[10:51]
Customer
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[10:54]
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[10:56]
Customer
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[10:58]
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[10:59]
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