Switch From Psychotherapy To Cbt?

[EvenStrongerNow]

Awhile back, my husband had even said to me, "I don't get it. Why isn't your T giving you a plan?" I had asked her about it at that time and she said, "Well, you can't expect this stuff to just happen over night. It's a long process." I said, "But when though, where does it end?"

She couldn't answer that. So, I've been feeling like I'm in a rat race, racing to a finish line that doesn't exist and trying to get to the cheese. Every time I think I see the cheese, it ends up turning into a trap. Like a circle. It had a beginning but has no end.

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

1/ What thought process have you used to decide between CBT and DBT here?
2/ What qualification are you looking for in a t?
3/ What else are you going to look for?
4/ What are you going to do for yourself now?
5/ What is your plan step by step?

May I suggest you answer each thing point by point?

Yes, you may.

As I understand it now,

1. I read somewhere recently that CBT is the most effective for PTSD and trauma? I am unfamiliar with DBT. I can read about each of those all day, but at the end of the day, I do not know how determine which form of therapy will be of most benefit to me.
2. I need to be asking that someone is a licensed trauma T?
3. I'm unsure of what else I'm supposed to be looking for. Do you mean like does he/she listen and empathize?
4. It seems I need to be continuing to actively try to get better. In the meantime, I do need to be making sure that I'm eating every day, sleeping and getting out of the house, etc. I know those things. I have just been feeling so depressed.
5. I know the plan is to first get my taxes done this coming week and purchase health insurance so that I can get a new T. (I do think I need to just leave my T altogether and not worry about her opinion at this point because I need to get better and function again)

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

I actually think it is very unethical for a not even qualified family and relationship therapist to diagnose someone with PTSD and not refer them on to someone properly trained and experienced.:mad:

I have been very afraid to let anyone know that I have not been diagnosed by a Psychiatrist. I thought Psychologists could too. When I found out that it was necessary (read that on this forum), I freaked out because of my earlier fears of Psychs--growing up, my mother took me to them. They never gave me tests or anything. They only listened to her perspective of how I was acting out and nobody ever considered that hmmm, maybe this little girl is being abused and that is why she is so hyper and moody...maybe that's why she cannot focus in school...they put me on Ritalin at the age of 6 and stuff when I was a kid.

The truth is, I was responding to stress from experiencing very traumatic things, being abused by her men and being placed in and out of the foster system. I was highly intelligent and bored at school. I know for sure I have PTSD, but I thought I could do it on my own. That has been my ultimate down fall. I realize this now. I was not willing to be honest with myself or others about this.

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

I have always struggled emotionally to some extent. I just mean, I had to learn everything the hard way lol, but I was so young. I left home at 17 and entered into my first of a series of abusive relationships. But, I always had that inner strength and resiliency. I always had that thing that kept me going and accomplishing. I was assertive and did everything I could do to learn and grow myself up. I was even earning $15 per hour at age 19 because I taught myself how to be a polished business woman.

After my experience with my ex, that inner strength is still there but that resiliency isn't. That thing that kept me going and accomplishing died. I get it back every now and again, but it's not consistent anymore. I feel like an engine that is slowly puttering out if that makes sense.

 

[Abstract]

Just so you know Strongernow I was not commenting on seeing a psychiatrist and was commenting that she suspected PTSD and did not send you to a therapist who was qualified to treat you. I am not going to comment too much on the other stuff as I don't want you to loose the central theme in other issues on here. Can you see how that can happen?

1. I read somewhere recently that CBT is the most effective for PTSD and trauma? I am unfamiliar with DBT. I can read about each of those all day, but at the end of the day, I do not know how determine which form of therapy will be of most benefit to me. 2. I need to be asking that someone is a licensed trauma T? 3. I'm unsure of what else I'm supposed to be looking for. Do you mean like does he/she listen and empathize? 4. It seems I need to be continuing to actively try to get better. In the meantime, I do need to be making sure that I'm eating every day, sleeping and getting out of the house, etc. I know those things. I have just been feeling so depressed. 5. I know the plan is to first get my taxes done this coming week and purchase health insurance so that I can get a new T. (I do think I need to just leave my T altogether and not worry about her opinion at this point because I need to get better and function again)

Personally I would spend a lot more energy on educating yourself first. Can you see that you went back to just discussing sleep and food despite what Hashi repeatedly and strongly said to you before? I think there is quite a lot of information in this thread that you are still not absorbing.

Personally when it comes to a t I would educate myself about different types of therapy and what they involve and how to tell if someone is trained in trauma before jumping in. As Hashi said, you need to start thinking differently. I could list a whole lot of things again for you but I don't think that is the answer. This is big important stuff and not like choosing a new handbag. This is your life you are talking about. There is an enormous amount of information on this site that can help you.

You can do things right now that will help you start learning grounding skills.

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

You asked in question #4 what I am going to do for myself now? I assumed that meant right now, like in the meantime. I did say that I am going to do the research and that I do want to see a qualified trauma T.

I am online reading about that now. I do see how that can happen, yes re: losing the central theme. I also do see that I went back to just discussing sleep and food despite what Hashi said. It's just that it has been really all I know how to do. I can see what you mean about thinking differently.

I want to be able to do that. I am depressed.

I get what you are saying. I am trying to put the cart before the horse. I do see that. I am very aware of myself.

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

I also see that you both are trying to get me out of victim mentality and focus me on taking action. I get that and I appreciate it.

 

[Abstract]

You are doing really well Strongernow. It is a lot to absorb and change is difficult.

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

I just found this site: NotAllWoundsRVisible

They have a help desk where they can give you a list of therapists in any area who specialize in trauma as well as PTSD treatment centers. I'm going to contact them now through their form.

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

You are doing really well Strongernow. It is a lot to absorb and change is difficult.

Thanks for saying that. Yes change is difficult for me now. I so appreciate you coming along side of me.

 

[Abstract]

You'r welcome. NotAllWoundsRVisible Here is a good place to start.
https://www.myptsd.com/threads/copi...hen-you-dont-have-much-time-or-privacy.23637/

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

Oh OK. I understand what you mean about what are you going to do right now.

My plan is to read through and educate myself on the coping skills that others here have used, apply them.
Research trauma Ts and get a list going.
Do my taxes and purchase health insurance this week.
Set up appointments to consult with trauma Ts on my list.