Speaking freely: my experiences in individual psychotherapies, group therapies, and growth groups

This article traces the author's experiences in sensitivity, Tavistock, and psychotherapy groups, an experience in individual psychotherapy, and two experiences in psychoanalysis. Group work was very helpful in learning how the author came across to others in general and in improving the author's ways of being helpful to others. Although the experience was valuable, difficulties emerged in the first psychoanalysis, largely because of the psychoanalyst's belief that psychoanalysis was the best form of treatment for everyone. Desiring a variety of approaches, the author undertook a second analysis with more of an integrative and intuitive therapist, which worked better for her. Lasting lessons are shared from this series of personal therapy experiences.