Austin Improv

David,

Just want to add my encouragement on top of everyone else's. I've done a shitload of therapy work and highly recommend it as well.

Ryan

alexd231232 wrote:

Ruby Willmann wrote:Hey! Let's hang out and play board games at the Hideout before shows on Saturday! There's nothing I enjoy more than games and conversation.

Ruby

What Ruby said!

If this is happening, I for serious want to be involved. I. Love. Board. Games.

I've done my share as well. Therapy can be amazing if you find a good fit. I don't know specifically who a good fit would be for you, David, but I can give you a place to start. Jan is a very gifted and compassionate counselor and would be more than willing to help you or refer you to someone reliable who possibly can.

http://jancarlsontherapy.com/jancarlsontherapy_002.htm

Kayla Lane wrote:

alexd231232 wrote:

Ruby Willmann wrote:Hey! Let's hang out and play board games at the Hideout before shows on Saturday! There's nothing I enjoy more than games and conversation.

Ruby

What Ruby said!

If this is happening, I for serious want to be involved. I. Love. Board. Games.

I second this.

First, someone who might be able to help (Karen's recommend reminded me that I have one too):

http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/r ... exas_35099

He's not cheap, but he might be able to direct you to the right place. Good guy. I've done work with him. The person I'd really love to recommend (I worked with her for many years) is, alas, retired.


Second, yeah, I'd like to play some boardgames.

FInding a therapist can be daunting because seriously, not all therapists are created the same. And you may have to go through a few that iritates the hell out of you, but once you find one, and you WILL find one that you can connect with, the world will open up to you. You will realize there are tools out there which can successfully combat what you are going through, and the right therapist will help you find it. What you are looking for might be someone specializing in IE (Interpersonal Effectiveness). PM me if you want to talk more.

David-
I want to commend you for asking for help. Your post was brave, honest and self-aware, which means you are already moving in a good direction.

I think therapy is definitely a great idea, I've been going for years and once you find the right person it is life changing. There are a lot of therapists who offer sliding scale payments if you dig around on the internet.

Another step you could take while you look for a therapist is reading some social interaction books. I used to teach an autistic woman and we read a bunch of these books and some were pretty good. Even though you are not diagnosed with asperger's these books address the same problem you are discussing so they may be helpful to you.

here are a few that I think we read, but there are so many of them out there:
http://www.amazon.com/Social-Skills-Tee ... 500&sr=8-5

http://www.amazon.com/Super-Skills-Chil ... 50&sr=8-57

For all those who expressed interest in board games: David and I are meeting up at the Hideout at 4 this Saturday. Feel free to join us!

I'm thurrrr

David,

A few things.

First, you are an incredible man. You could have checked out--decided people weren't worth it, decided the situation was impossible, gotten bitter or given up. But you didn't. You started doing improv (which is very social) and friggin ROCK at it. You're trying to improve, even going so far as taking the (hard but necessary) step of asking for help. You are a brave and incredible man, David, and I admire you.

Second, it's been too long since we've hung out. I'm free most weekends, some evenings and just about every lunch (assuming you can make it to south Congress where I work.) I really enjoyed our last hang out and would love to spend some more time together soon. Just let me know a time that works well for you.

Third, I'm in the process of writing an online guide to social skills. It's still very much a work in progress, but I'm hopeful that some of the material on the site could be useful for even before it's complete. You can read the guide at http://www.improveyoursocialskills.com. Please let me know if you find it helpful, or if there's any thoughts you have on the site.

Fourth, although I am not a counselor (I echo what everyone else said about the wisdom of seeing a trained therapist), I would be happy to talk with you about relationships and stuff, as one friend to another. I certainly don't know everything there is to know, but as someone else who knows what it is like to have no social skills, I might have some insight that could be helpful to you. Just let me know if you would want to do that.

(And that goes for anyone else reading this thread, too. Feel free to check out the site and let me know any thoughts you have--I can't make it great without lots of help.)

You're an awesome guy, David, and I'm grateful to have the chance to know you. Thanks for reaching out--keep persevering, and you will find the growth you are looking for.

I echo everything everyone has been saying. I admire your honesty and humility and I don't even know you. But I just moved to Austin recently and have found the improv community to be so welcoming and caring, I think youre in the right place to get caring friends. I'll join in on the board games, and I will start asking around about therapists. God bless you for your bravery, friend. Things will get better.
-Cat

Games happens RIGHT after our new level three class on Saturday.

Ryan Hill wrote:Games happens RIGHT after our new level three class on Saturday. :-)

So I assure that means that you and Cat and Jamie et al will all be in attendance? ;)

Kayla Lane wrote:

Ryan Hill wrote:Games happens RIGHT after our new level three class on Saturday.

So I assure that means that you and Cat and Jamie et al will all be in attendance?

We usually go eat, but I will suggest that we eat at the Hideout and stay.

David! What a brave and honest post. I think we all feel awkward on some level with others. Sometimes trying to relate to people can be difficult and exhausting and sometimes it's awesome and fulfilling. It's not always easy, but I think it's great that this is something you want to learn more about...I continue to learn more about how to relate to others myself. I think it's a lifelong journey.

Just wanted to say, also, that you are one of the people I most enjoy playing with in class! You are fun and I love the stuff you come up with! Don't be so hard on yourself...you're a pretty cool fella and really nice to be around!

Regina