Individual Therapy...or Not

[StellaBlue]

I'm starting to think that individual therapy may not be the best thing for me...I find it shaming and triggering (my issues, not the therapist). I know there are a number of folks here who have not had success with individual therapy. If you are one of them, what have you done instead to move your healing forward?

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I have had successes but I have also had a lot of failures along the way. It was awhile before I found something that particularly worked.

I think its safe to say that many of us found therapy to be triggering and shameful at one point. Do you really think its best to stop therapy all together? I think I would advocate pushing through these issues as therapy is never a walk in the park. Well, I advocate pushing through until you can process your trauma at least. I have found therapy to be triggering so I am not in therapy right now, but I have a feeling I left at a different point in my healing than where you are at right now.

 

[Justmehere]

Individual therapy triggered the heck out of me - granted, sometimes it is supposed to be hard. But at first, it was too much. I did group therapy (DBT and art therapy) and joined support groups with NAMI and other organizations. It helped quite a bit.

 

[StellaBlue]

I am considering the possibility that I may not be capable of processing my trauma and that I may need to accept that coping when I'm triggered is the best I can do. I don't typically give up on things, but I'm close to admitting defeat on this one...and I'm pretty sure I'm ok with that decision. I have a solid mediation practice and have gained a lot of skills in DBT...I guess I need to decide how much longer I want to spend pushing this rock up the hill.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Have you tried different ways of processing? I tried quite a few before I found one that worked for me. Its currently more of an alternative therapy that doesn't have much clout in the field so to speak, but it worked for me and that's all I care about. I guess my point is that some of us need to try multiple ways of processing before finding something that works. Then again, if it really is making you that bad, maybe you should take a break for now and then revisit the issue in the future. Nobody says you have to constantly be in therapy. Maybe you need a break to help you stabilize and once that happens, you'll be able to make a decision later on about processing? I think that's what I'd advise, a therapy break for now so you can focus on making your skills work, with the possibility of returning to therapy something to consider in the future. That way you can take things one step at a time and focus on your current needs.

 

[KwanYingirl]

I fight with myself a lot about therapy. Like right now I'm kind of glad that the road that my therapists office is is getting replaced and I can't tolerate asphalt fumes. So I get two weeks at least off. It's been feeling stale lately.

I've done group therapy and it has helped except when someone hijacks the whole friggin time. My needs change as I wander through the murk and mire of my traumas. Right now I definitely want a break from one on one. Two months ago I couldn't stay alive without my therapist. I just hope I'm not getting in my own way to move forward. Because I still don't want to talk about the details of my abuse. It's complicated, but I'm pretty sure I can identify with you. Stay connected to us and it will help you even as you're needs change.

 

[StellaBlue]

Have you tried different ways of processing? I tried quite a few before I found one that worked for me.

I'm not sure what different ways of processing means. I know I've had some pretty inexperienced (but good intentioned) therapists try to help me process...but it has always ended in me destabilizing. I met with a trauma therapist (somatic) last January, but she refused to see me because I "wasn't ready" and she insisted that I be on "prophylaxic" anti-depressants if and when I did start with her.

This last "crisis"/destabilization (last month) has left me ready to throw in the towel in terms of processing.

Stay connected to us and it will help you even as you're needs change.

Thank you.