Get Off My Couch...

cause I ain't your therapist.

I'm not an unfeeling person...really.

I'm just a little distrubed by the group therapy/healing circle direction this board has taken as of late.

I think it's wonderful that people are connecting here. Truly. It's a fun place to meet people with a passion for theatre. But as many of these threads have pointed out, we are not 'like-minded' people. Our interests (save for one), political leanings and religious upbringings are as varied as in the general population.

So...I say this with all the love in my heart...see a therapist. If you have issues with your sexuality, family dysfunction, alcohol or nodules...SEE A PROFESSIONAL. We may all have our own brands of advice and techniques for coping, but nothing beats face-to-face interaction with someone acutely attuned to specific issues.

Therapy is not a dirty thing. And it's infinitely healthier than taking advice from people you really and truly don't know. Those of us who have met in person know first-hand that we don't always present ourselves here as we do in life.

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I actually like the feeling of a safe place to talk and get honest answers. Don't be part of it if you don't want to be.

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Robbie, darling, the only reason I'd get off your couch is so we could make out on the floor!

But you do have a point. People take this board much too seriously. I know there are people out there that may not have healthy family lives or lots of friends, but a message board is no substitute for a living breathing person. There are plenty of free, non-judgmental and totally confidential options for therapy in every town. If you really need help, you won't find it here. Maybe a bandaid solution and a feeling of not being alone, but not true lasting help.

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Well that's the thing, Dgrant.

I'm pretty sure there ARE people who don't put our thoughts and words in its proper context. And so I'm just nudging others to consider that if there is an issue, there's no reason not to talk about it. But we can never replace real, honest-to-God theraputic work that is necessary.

Frankly, I'm not as worried about the emotional stuff as I am about the whole 'Can you give me advice about how to sing' that happens here all the time. For the love of St. Pete people, GET A VOICE TEACHER!

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Updated On: 11/23/04 at 04:42 PM

I believe that the people who are in a tough situation at home and come here to discuss it are not being stupid but brave. And I will talk honestly to them. I know how tough life can be, and I will help others as much as I can. There will always be someone who will poke fun at it, but those are the people you don't listen too. I consider many people here to be very intelligent... but I do not treat them on the same level as a shrink. They are just trying to help.

on The questions about singing-This is a BROADWAY website with people who want to make it in acting...I think of all questions these would be the most accepted.

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Bless your heart, you cold blooded bitch. Love you and you know I mean it.

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exactly, wobbie. it may sound like the old days of the scare stories our parents (or maybe just my parents) did about drugs, but this is an infinitely more dangerous situation as far as i'm concerned. there's a lotta sick f***s out there and we have more than a few in here. the potential for manipulation is gigantic.

it's foolish to think it can't happen or won't happen here.

if need help, talk to someone. like sueleen said, "a message board is no substitute for a living breathing person." especially one trained to help you.

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ok, just so you know, that post was a dare, you know from the truth or dare thread. I was just kidding!

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did you guys believe me? ha...

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I think the point that people are trying to make is that when you post here, you are not talking to a circle of friends. There are god-knows-how-many people lurking here and reading the threads. The small community aspect of this place is an illusion.

I have no problem with people talking openly about things, but to post too much personal info on a message board is insane. My mind reels when I see people posting things about their kids or their partners, and even calling them by name sometimes. The vast majority of people here are good people... but the fact that there are quite likely a handful of wackos, you really want to exercise caution with how much information you share.

I have been able to piece together astounding amounts of information about people just by paying attention, and by following links in their profiles. And really, if I can do it with my minimal computer skills and an hour to kill, just imagine what someone with malicious intent could do.

The other component of this discussion is knowing who is handing out advice. I have seen some jaw-droppingly bad advice handed out to people who were looking for advice on some serious problems. For all you know, you are being given relationship advice or opinion about the validity of various college programs by people still in middle school.

This is just a plea to exercise caution as to how much information you share.

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The telephone is ringing
I say, "Hi, it's me. Who is it there on the line?"
A voice says, "Hi, hello, how are you
Well, I guess I'm doin' fine"
He says, "It's three a.m., there's too much noise
Don't you people ever wanna go to bed?
Just 'cause you feel so good, do you have
To drive me out of my head?"

I said, Hey! You! Get off of my [couch]
Hey! You! Get off of my [couch]
Hey! You! Get off of my [couch]
Don't hang around 'cause two's a [grouch]
On my [couch] baby

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