Long time therapist

[EveHarrington]

How about looking forward? Make an action plan to find someone new. Make a list of questions to ask a new therapist starting with “can you help me learn coping skills?” The good news is that you’re taking steps to move forward with your healing.

 

[Suzetig]

I guess though you will have flashbacks - flashbacks are part of your body and mind starting to process or make sense of the trauma. A sign that your body is trying to do what it should to move through it - one of the symptoms of post traumatic stress (as in normal process). Avoidance is a PTSD symptom cluster and it sounds like your T has helped you avoid this part of the process.

Grounding exercises are exactly what you should be using to help find your way through and out of the flashbacks, not to prevent them in the first place. Flashbacks are a horrible, horrible symptom but they won’t harm you long term. Fighting PTSD takes a huge amount of bravery but life can be so much easier for you than it is now.

 

[EveHarrington]

I don’t know if I’d choose to see a psychiatrist for therapy. One....psychiatrists are mainly schooled in medication management, not therapy. Two.....it might be better to have two different sources of support, one who manages meds, one who focuses on therapy.

Did you say you are on Medicare? You can go to psychologytoday.com and search for therapists in your area that accept Medicare.

 

[Justmehere]

I’d keep the psychiatrist for psychiatry, but I’d second the recommendation by @EveHarrington to expand your support a bit more.

Your doc sounds like they are on top of it, but they don’t really get training in school for therapy.

I’d instead ask for their help and support to look for someone who has training in several common trauma treatment techniques - CBT, DBT, etc.

Your doc knows you and your case already and could help you bridge the gap to find someone great!

 

[Angelwings]

I’d kee the psychiatrist for psychiatry, but I’d second the recommendation by @EveHa...

@Justmehere Thanks for the advice :-)

 

[hithere]

I hope you will stay in touch and let us know how it goes. This is a big deal.

 

[Angelwings]

I hope you will stay in touch and let us know how it goes. This is a big deal.

I have three appointments with new therapists, but I am totally scared.

 

[Suzetig]

Well done on making the appointments- are you able to say what’s scaring you?

 

[hithere]

I have three appointments with new therapists, but I am totally scared.

I understand that being scared feeling. I hope it goes well.

 

[Angelwings]

So, I picked a therapist. She's a trauma specialist. She works primarily with clients who have had a hard time getting better in other therapy situations. She told me that she can help, and it won't take 27 years. Now all I have to do is tell my therapist...gah...

 

[hithere]

That is great to hear. I hope it's easier to tell her than you are fearing it to be.

 

[EveHarrington]

Why do you have to tell your current therapist anything?

Really, you don’t.