A Whole Month Without Therapy?

[CiaraL]

I am 20 and I have had a very hard year. I'm a c-trauma person, with a lot of stuff from the ages of 0-18. In the last year I've gone through two crisis's and dealt with self harm and being suicidal. I've gone through good help, bad help and no help.
For the last three months I've been getting very good therapy. I haven't cut myself in seven weeks. I'm eating right and sleeping fairly well. I have never been better, ever.

But

I have to go a full month without therapy because of Christmas. I will be going back home and will not be able to see my counsellor at all from now till the second week of January. I don't want to regress. My family are not any help. My family can be a stressor. How do I go a whole month?

 

[Kintsugi]

This isn't particularly helpful. I've been there. It sucks. And it can be destructive.

I can only say try to do lots of self care. Journal, draw, go for walks, visit a playground. Anything that will help you remember you are a capable young adult with a full life and a support network.

 

[Leigh925]

Do you have another appt with your therapist before the break. I believe it is absolutely crucial to develop at plan. I didn't do this the first time we had a break and it didn't go so well....the second time we made lists of coping skills....strategies if I wanted to self harm and set up a day for him to call me and check on me. It was very successful and a much better experience.

 

[ShadowSolace]

Look up 7 cups of tea if you would be willing to try online therapy

 

[joeylittle]

Can you ask your counselor for "homework"? A workbook to work through, something to read, maybe make a kind of schedule template for your general "day at home" each day? Just some things to give you structure and keep you mindful of your mental health?

 

[WillyKat]

In addition to the other advice you're getting, keep posting here. If you haven't done so, start a Trauma Diary. If you have, update it.

You know what helps me in between sessions sometimes? Replying to posts here and trying to help others out. It's a secret I have so don't tell anyone, but trying to help others actually helps me.

 

[StellaBlue]

I believe it is absolutely crucial to develop at plan.

I agree with this 100%. I think a lot of folks have families that can be...challenging. I absolutely need to have a plan in place when I visit with my family. Mostly, I keep a list of distress tolerance skills handy. Last year, when visiting my parents, I also did a phone check-in with my therapist, which was really really helpful...he was able to point out that I was actually handling things well.

 

[TXbandit]

Last month I went without therapy. It was difficult. I wish I had done as many have mentioned here to have a plan made with my T. You have been given very great advice by others here. You can do this!! It's not impossible hun. You have to stay positive and do lots of self caring. Come here often. Start a trauma diary (it practically saved my life last month!), chat with us, start threads. When you feel like you're going to break, come here and get support. I wouldn't have made it through without the lovely people here last month. :hug:s if accept and keep your head up hun :)