Without therapy - Any suggestions for making it through an extended period with no face-to-face support?

[whiteraven]

I will be unemployed as of Wednesday for a minimum of 2 weeks. No health insurance, no income of any sort. My therapist has said he will provide sessions pro-bono for however long it takes me to get back on my feet; my job is (literally) killing me and quitting was just something I needed to do.

He may not be available for the next 2 weeks - I'm supposed to see him Monday, but with all the schools closed here, he may have to stay home with his kid. He's likely also not going to be there the week after, because he is teaching out-of-state (although that, too, seems to be up-in-the-air).

I have a job lined up that is temporary, full-time that starts the first full week in April. Hours are days, so I'm not going to be able to see him then, either. For almost 2 months. I am in a bad place right now and have no idea how I'm going to manage. We email, but...

Any suggestions for making it through an extended period with no face-to-face support?

 

[osiris]

Would he do face to face video stuff?
My T is offering that coz of coronvirus so might be worth asking?
I haven’t got any advice, been falling apart while my T has been away, but I’m thinking of you and hope you get something sorted.

 

[whiteraven]

Would he do face to face video stuff?

Thank you! This might be possible, although the way my hours work, it still might not be something he can do. Plus, video really freaks me out. I think I worry about how I will look and come across...that happens face-to-face, as well, but video is somehow worse.

 

[osiris]

@whiteraven totally get that. Skype interviews are awful too and I’ve done some of those.
Well if not video if he would have time somehow maybe just phone?

 

[Mach123]

I'm quitting my therapist kinda sorta. It's not that I don't think I need to be in therapy, I just think she and I may have accomplished all we can. I've been with her four years though I haven't looked it up.
I'm lonely on one level I admit that because I am totally myself with her but what does that mean IDK. I feel it's really important to have someone you can go over things with you just can't with anyone else. Maybe it has to be a professional. But for right now at least, I don't think mind a little break.

 

[whiteraven]

for right now at least I don't think mind a little break.

I've taken breaks before and they've all been really good. But mostly that was from therapists who were going in a completely different direction than I needed to.

I'm not really in a good place right now (understatement) and it might be a lot harder.

 

[Mach123]

Yes thank you that is a good description and I feel really bad on the one hand because I really like/love her. I had to pry her apart before I told her. She knew what I was doing. I told her all of it . I think that part is over.

I'm sorry for your situation I recognize the difference and I hope things smooth out. A few years back, I would have been in catastrophe mode over this. You are being pressed . : (

But I still need someone's to talk to a lot and I'm not sure what I'm going to do with that.

 

[whiteraven]

A few years back, I would have been in catastrophe mode over this.

Oh yeah. I go through this in phases. I am crazy anxious for hours, then I'm ok for awhile. I think that ok part is when I'm tightly focused on something...can't always do that, though.

 

[Changing4Best]

Van you ask him for some homework? Send stuff back and forth in the mail.

 

[whiteraven]

Van you ask him for some homework? Send stuff back and forth in the mail.

Yeah, this is a good idea. Bit of an update:
I saw him on Monday and he let me know he wasn't going to be traveling for another couple of months because the company he presents for is canceling all travel. The job I was supposed to start in April has been delayed at least a month so, barring issues with closings, etc...and the virus, I will be able to see him for awhile.

At least he'll be around and I will be available. A relief.

 

[whiteraven]

So now, the state he's in is on order of stay-at-home as of tonight. Essential businesses remain open, but he has decided not to work in office. I totally get that, but it really leaves me hanging. For a long time. At least 3 weeks and then, if the new job starts, at least 2 more months. I'm feeling trapped again.

 

[joeylittle]

I totally get that, but it really leaves me hanging. For a long time. At least 3 weeks and then, if the new job starts, at least 2 more months. I'm feeling trapped again.

I'd say, if T is willing to do it, give video-chat a try. I also hate it - but there are times its the only option for me, and it's slightly more effective than phone.

Something that helps me is, I cover the little window on my computer where I can see myself with a post-it note.

It WILL be weird. But then, it won't. Give T feedback on whether you can see them well enough, hear them well enough, etc. Also, when I need to go to online therapy for a chunk of time, I find it helpful to agree w/T to focus more on day-to-day/present-life challenges, and less on past-based PTSD processing stuff. So I'm not left sobbing with a computer, which I don't recover well from.