4hr Psychotherapy Session

[billie]

Thanks for the advice too @EvenStrongerNow

 

[ButterflyBean]

Hi @billie,

I haven't posted lately, but I do read the site daily. I just wanted to say I understand your fears/worries about the aftermath! I asked my T for 2-hr sessions about a year ago, but I have to say that even though I need them, they can be very draining!

Can I ask why the session is 4-hrs? I'm sure there is a perfectly good reason...I'm just curious! My initial is that maybe 4-hrs is too long?

I'm dealing with my own acute crisis right now, so just know that you are not alone in the least! Whatever the outcome is, we're all here to listen/support you, and I hope you can share how your session goes! For me, it helps to talk about what happened during it afterward.

I'm rooting for you; stay strong!

~Holly

 

[ms spock]

A four hour session, when you don't have strong boundaries or grounding techniques sounds dangerous to me. I am really worried for you Billie. Worrying about whether you will be locked up because of the after effects of the session is also most concerning.

Be careful Billie.

 

[Still waiting]

Be strong and courageous! This will pass...just not as promptly as you would prefer! Your not alone, thousands of others have been down this road and thousands are traveling with you currently! Chin up!!! Yes I am walking on the same path with you! We will make it!!!

 

[Hashi]

I'm with Ms Spock, and probably way beyond her position. In my view you should be spending four hours on grounding, safety and coping skills. No way in the world should you be doing four hours of trauma work.

Sorry if that isn't what you want to hear, but this sort of stuff really upsets me. Why on earth would you be facing your demons in a massive four hour session if you've just had a massive breakdown? To me this is the "collateral damage" approach to trauma work. But you're the collateral that gets damaged. How does that make any sense?

Believe me, there are other ways to approach trauma work... ways that include a focus on safety and pacing.

But it's up to you.

 

[billie]

Yeah, I think the aim is to spend a good amount of time utilizing grounding techniques and being safe before I leave. I trust her more than I trust myself; I know she wont let me leave this session in a bad way, but its the days to come. I rang a help line last night but the person only had limited advice. I accept that we all can't be full of knowledge so I will also ring later to talk to another person. Thanks heaps for your imput guys. Ahh only few more hours to go. I might go do some shopping or something.

 

[ms spock]

But she is letting you leave in a bad way if you completely lose it in the following days and get locked up.

If you trust her more then you trust yourself then you haven't done enough therapy to begin dealing with your trauma.

 

[billie]

I will sjow her this thread maybe that may help. Im in the waiting room now. Thanks all x

 

[Hope4Now]

@billie remember that you are in charge of your own healing. Speak up to your therapist if you're needing to slow down or ground. Or if the work is going places that are too uncomfortable. My therapist is forever asking me for "permission" to ask more probing questions. It was fascinating watching him work with me today. I was "there" doing the work, but part of me was also observing. He was ever-so-careful with me, and I think a bit worried. Noticing that actually validated the very fearful feelings I was having but trying to push away. This gave me the courage to tell him some things that I never thought I would say out loud. It was grueling but good, because I felt I had some control--something I don't often feel these days. Wishing you good healing.

 

[billie]

Hi guys I'm out now. It was very controlled and everything went at pace from what my body allowed. I still feel weird but I am going to have a bath. I showed the thread and it was warmly welcomed. It definitely allowed for a lot of trauma to be dealt with in a controlled environment. I guess I have to wait and see how I feel, at the moment I am weak. Time for a nap.

 

[ms spock]

In my view you should be spending four hours on grounding, safety and coping skills. No way in the world should you be doing four hours of trauma work.

Why on earth would you be facing your demons in a massive four hour session if you've just had a massive breakdown?

I don't know anyone that does a two hour session nevertheless a four hour session. I am really worried about you Billie. I don't think this mental health professional knows what she is doing.

Focusing on safety and pacing are really important. I need to focus on this as well.

Why would you get more destablisation when you need containment, grounding, boundaries, meditation, mindfulness, exercise, good eating and sleeping and everything else to be like all the ducks set up in a row. Anthony has written about having everything set up and stable like medication before you do trauma work.

 

[billie]

Hmmm meds..... yeah my psychiartrist appointment is soon. My trauma is related to being drugged for most of the period. I am now sensative to drugs. I am so scared of drugs although Im on seroquel.