Poll Contact With Therapist Between Sessions

[SimplyComplex]

And if you do, how often (write in)

 

[SimplyComplex]

I have been seeing my t 13 months and have emailed her journal stuff a handful of times (maybe 5).

 

[Srain]

I can call my tdoc and text message her as often as I want. This is not something I am use to doing as I have never wanted to bother anyone before but with her I have wanted to stay as open as possible. At the same time due to my dissociation periods and memory issues I have wanted to tell her something important so I will call with it especially if I'm highly upset about it so she can hear the changes in my voice and the words. These are things I want to convey about myself so she gets to know me better and just who she is dealing with to help me. Key: don't waste time or money!

I have also texted her when I have been stumped on something, not knowing what to do and feeling like it's not something I can discuss with anyone else. Sometimes a week between appts is a very long time so this is when we go twice a week but my insurance is running out so I cannot do that anymore. She doesn't answer them if she feels these are things I can work out myself, I can feel that and understand it so I never take it anyother way. I always have another woman at her office to call in case I need to.

Rain

 

[Deaf Global Nomad]

My current therapist encourages my sending emails, which is nice. Sometimes I just have to add something to what I said or ask her a question about what we talked about. This is not a regular occurrence and I do so maybe once a month on average. After a particular difficult session, she has actually been grateful for my letting her know that I am doing well after the session. In this case I usually explain what I gained from it. If I am in crisis mode another service provider may also contact her, which has happened once in the past 6 or 7 months. So, I feel safe and know that we have an open communication. It allows us to freely work on more difficult things without either one of us feeling like we have to be too careful because it might be too much on a given day and for it to take me over the edge.

This is a real change from past therapists, where not being able to contact them in an accessible way (I am Deaf and even the best relay service makes phone trees difficult to handle) presented as a significant barrier. I consider myself as being extremely lucky in having found such a good match and definitely try not to abuse the access I have.

 

[KP the nut]

My T tells me to contact him if anything comes up following the sessions. I have phoned him a couple of times and we talk through what is troubling me. The last time it was horrid, vile, evil nightmares, way off the scale even by my standards.

I have emailed him as well. Again only a couple of times, usually when I have achieved something major and I want to share the success with him.

I only contact him during office hours as I don't want to be even more dependant on him than I am. I feel he is giving me back my life by giving me the techniques to control my symptoms.

 

[kimba]

If something I know is serious or major has happened, I'll leave a message and she will call back. I have mailed her things as well. When there was alot of time between sessions (vacations etc.)

 

[Lucycat]

I have a lot of contact with my T between sessions.

I have therapy at varying intervals. For example at the moment he said it will be 2-3 weeks. I will wait and find out later. Usually he waits for me to be feeling less well to start again, and at the moment I am in a 'good place', and have asked him to let me stay feeling good! I know the next round of therapy will be difficult and unpleasant.

But I have contact with my T, almost every day. If there has been no contact for about 3 days he will initiate it, just to 'check in'. I like the way it is, and he says it suits him.

 

[Heather]

Usually at least once between sessions sometimes more.

 

[Addy]

I chose no, not because the T wouldn't allow it, but not because I haven't needed to either. More because I am terrible at asking for help or sharing when I'm struggling. I usually try to tough things out until I can see the T again.

 

[CraftyCath]

I have been seeing my T for 3 weeks now and I can ring him on his home phone or e-mail him whenever I need to. I haven't rang him yet but I have e-mailed him. When I first made contact with him he spent ages on the phone with me as I cried my eyes out.

 

[BloomInWinter]

Our hospital does employ a 'day T.' - who, while nice, knows nothing about us nor about PTSD. But I could call that person if I wanted. Though, I'll never go that route again. Better to tough it out than have the worst possible reminders of how alone I am... "Well...can you call your Mom? (She's been dead since college)..."Your dad?" (dead, too...but before that, abuser)..."any brothers or sisters?" (Step-brother, dead; sisters, estranged).

Emails, forbidden, calls to our T. not allowed, contact not encouraged...though I discovered the hard way I would receive a phone call if I call to cancel.

No dropping off anything, either. Which leaves me wondering what to do with the papers my work gave me a week ago to fill out but I don't see the T. for awhile.

*Sigh.

...and I am gainfully employed with what people around here call 'the GOOD insurance'...Go, State of Illinois!

 

[CraftyCath]

((((BloomInWinter))))

I had no help even thought I had screamed for it for over 25 years, saw a lot of counselors who didn't know a thing about PTSD. I have since paid out for a private Psychotherapist and although there is very little money coming in it has been worth it so far. I vetted him, studded up on his qualifications and rang him to see how much he knew - he knew a lot!

I hope things get better for you. x