How Frequently Do You See Your Therapist/Psychologist?

[becvan]

Becvan,
If you read my 1st post about myself maybe it will help you understand how complex my situation is. Perhaps, I will share with you one day the traumas, I just typed out for my T than maybe one can understand.

Okay, I don't mean to sound rude here but please don't decide what I did or didn't do. Before I asked how much progress you've made with your therapist, I read every thread you started. Did you read mine?

All PTSD is complicated and complex. Your not the only one on here dealing with multiple traumas that have heaped on over the years. Really, that sounded condescending to me. I'm sorry but your not in this super special totally unique set of circumstances. Your trauma is unique, but many before you and many after you will struggle with complex multiple traumas.

I asked an honest question. How much progress do you think you have made. I didn't get an answer instead getting the runaround about how I couldn't understand. I don't care what reasons your continuing to go for 12 years or 30. Your paying for it, so there must be some reason. I really wanted to know how much progress you have made. Thanks for the reply.

bec

 

[sunnydaze]

Becvan,
I am sorry but you do sound rude! Remember in the healing game one has to watch how they word things and possibly think before hitting send of how this person may read what you wrote if you are on top of things. Please re-read your 2 posts to me and see if, I wrote that to you how you would take it.

Now as far as your answer, I am taking one day at a time doing the best I can. I have learned relaxation techniques and have had biofeedback therapy.
As I wrote, my T was unaware of 90% of the tramas I have been through until the week before last. I had put these nightmares in the back of my mind only when he asked me to list them a month ago did, I begin to remember. I am doing alot of reading on PTSD and depression as well.

I thought joining this forum, I would not be judged nor my T but that is a impossibility as we are all humane and imperfect creatures. I personally will go back and read all your post again. I am not saying my story is the worst ever even though my last 4 T's thought so. As stated in previous posts I made everyone perceives their tramas different and everyones emotions are different. I would like to see how emotionally balanced others would be with just alone 3 murders in their family besides sexual abuse and other things. Maybe a will start a poll on this. I apoligize
ahead of time if I took it wrong.

What I remember of your previous posts and threads you seemed like a caring person.
sunnydaze

 

[becvan]

Becvan,
I am not saying my story is the worst ever even though my last 4 T's thought so. As stated in previous posts I made everyone perceives their tramas different and everyones emotions are different. I would like to see how emotionally balanced others would be with just alone 3 murders in their family besides sexual abuse and other things.

Firstly thank you for your honest answer. Asking a simple question is far from rude. How that was construed as rude is beyond me. My second post was pointing out the obvious. You gave me a big runaround with the implication that you have it worse off. Which again you have implied here.

Now I'm pointing this out for a reason. PTSD isolates us. We all think no one can understand, no one else has been there. It's very very negative thinking that HARMS us. Which is exactly what I am trying to point out. So let me be blunt. Your trauma is not worse nor less than anyone else's. Period. Many of us have multiple traumas. Many of us have heard that our stories are the worst that the therapist has ever heard, or how it's a miracle we lived through it. This forum is proof enough that it's complete bullshit. This thread may be off interest although its more aligned with those who think theirs is less than: [DLMURL]http://www.ptsdforum.org/thread6916.html[/DLMURL]

Now you can keep going with this mindset and completely alienate yourself or you can work on this mindset and come to a better and healthier place where support and understanding is available. Your choice. I have no more to say.

bec

(my apologies for going so off course.. perhaps Anthony could split this into it's own thread?)

 

[sunnydaze]

Becvan,
I copied and pasted one of your post just as I said in my last reply to you and you said it yourself. So where is the problem? I by far am not better than anyone else. I do not use trauma as a game, I've got one better than you or others. Please read below your own words.
sunnydaze

Becvan wrote:
How I react to my trauma and how I speak about my trauma is not wrong nor there for you to judge. My trauma itself is not there for you to compare to your own. They are not comparable. Every persons trauma is unique, as is their stress response to it.


We do not allow members to attack and judge each other about their traumas. If we did we wouldn't have a forum. No one would talk about anything.

I really don't know what your problem with me is, however, there is no justification for this treatment.

bec

 

[sunnydaze]

Fortunate to be alive

Having someone tell us we are fortunate to be alive when surviving trauma is not BS. If we were not strong deep inside ourselves many would not be here. Some would be locked up in mental institutions and others taking their lives. So anyone that has survived abuse and are here to tell about it are fortunate.
We must be stronger than we know ourselves. Some get stronger some get weaker. We somehow pick ourselves up and cross another hurdle. For whatever reason I am greatful. Perhaps God helps us deal with our stresses if so I am a believer.

I personally have read 2/3 of the posts in this forum since I joined and believe me I have cried for each one of them. When one goes through pain they can have compassion for others because only they could understand because they have been there.
I do not think I have had it worse, those who have fought in the war have seen so much more in a short period of time than the years that streched out with my traumas. At least I had a break in between. I could never survive being in a war and watching people get killed no matter who it is. I cry for animals how much more is a humans life of value.
sunnydaze

 

[whitewillow312]

At the moment, I'm seeing my therapist once a week and my Psych once a month.

 

[sunnydaze]

whitewillow312
Good for you, I hope you like them. It is important when you do and feel comfortable with them also. This way you can feel at ease to tell them what you need to tell them to progress.
sunnydaze

 

[Awakening]

Well I've come back to answer the questions

I'm hoping it is okay for me to post my answers here, and that I'm not dominating, because I think this is quite long. If it needs to be moved to my trauma diary then that of course is fine.

I really appreciate all those who have responded, it's been interesting reading.

For the life of me I can't do multi-quotes so I've bolded the questions posed to me.

How long have you been in therapy for?
Initially, I was referred to a fertility counsellor because of a disorder I have.

The disorder is also known to cause depression. I saw her for around ten months.

We of course focused mainly on fertility, self esteem, the disorder & the subsequent miscarriage I had.

However, amongst these discussions we discussed the sexual assault at 18.

She asked me to see a trauma therapist. I didn’t want to but said I would consider in the future.

Two months after finishing with her a stressful event took place. I have not discussed this stressful event on here mainly for legal purposes and for fear of being judged. It was not a trauma, although it was incredibly stressful. I may consider discussing it in PTSD if that is safe or PM. I’m not sure about that yet.

Basically due to this stressful even I then had a "breakdown" and went to my current therapist. This was two years ago in May.

So this is my long way of saying I have been seeing my current therapist for two years.

What have you accomplished in that time? Have you made any changes in your trauma or symptoms?
During this time mostly I’ve achieved awareness. Awareness of the truth of my childhood & relationship (as opposed to everything in my life is perfect).

I’ve become aware of my thought patterns & the defences I employ. I’ve also become aware of some of my positive attributes. I’ve started being honest with myself & my therapist.

I’ve become aware that despite my protests that I’m fine, I’m actually in a lot of pain. I’m not denying the existence of my symptoms (flashbacks, nightmares, depression, anxiety etc).

I’ve identified my maladaptive coping mechanisms and swapping them with positive ones with moderate success. Still got a way to go but have stopped SI and reduced alcohol intake.

I have written out in full the details of the sexual assault at 18.

I’ve written down one ‘scene’ from the suspected sa as a child.

Why are you avoiding a therapy where you know what is going on, what the goal is, and how long you expect to be doing it for?
Strangely it’s never occurred to me to ask or have expectations. I have simply submitted myself over to her, trusting that she is the expert. I have only recently recognised that I don’t assert myself or ask for my needs to be met. We are working on this.

What benefit are you getting from avoiding this type of therapy?
I don’t have to feel the bad feeling.

Is treading water good enough for you?
No, not anymore

What's stopping you?
Fear. Fear of the bad feeling. The bad feeling exists in my nightmares and flashbacks. So whilst I feel bad anyway because of symptoms, because I’m depressed, because I’m anxious – well all of that is still a better then the ‘bad feeling’ I get in my dreams and flashbacks. I believe this is the bad feeling I had when it was happening.

What's a fortnight? Is that in metric?
Oh my gosh, I had no idea they didn’t have a fortnight in America. Are you pulling my leg? That’s like not having a ‘month’. Yes a fortnight is two weeks.

Thanks for breaking up the intensity of this thread!

It reminds me of when I was on tour in Europe and the majority on tour were American. We pulled over to a ‘roadhouse’ to get some lunch. I came out to go to the toilet and bumped into a couple of American girls from the tour and warned them ‘that there is a really big queue in there’. Well they were just baffled. When I came back in they were looking up and down and asked me “Where is the big Q?”. I was equally confused and said “You are standing in the queue?!” It was then that I learnt that "queue" equals "line" in US speak.

Have you addressed this feeling (feeling like a fraud) in counseling? Found ways to combat it? This is a form of conditioning we learn from secondary wounding. Just get over it.
No I haven’t, I kind of didn’t realise I felt that way until I posted. But I realise now it’s a big deal to me and probably a big hurdle that’s been stopping me, so I will discuss this feeling with my therapist.

What memory do you have?
Memory is the wrong word. I always get hung up on it because it feels nothing like all the other memories I have. I feel that when I say "I remember x" I'm not being truthful because I don't remember. It's not memories that pop into my head - it's just stuff. So I have to clarify and say what are the thoughts I have about my uncle. And they are; (God I hate this)

-him exposing himself
-me touching him
-sitting on his lap
-flirting with him
-my uncle & aunt fighting about me
-blanket over my head
-the back garden behind the bushes
-keeping a secret at a family picnic

THE END.

 

[harrywgtn]

I see my counsellor once every week. Ay the moment i would like it to be everyday.

 

[spiritofnow]

I feel that I am in a very fortunate position. My G.P referred me to my therapist, Consultant Counselling Psychologist. She is fantastic! I respect her and have a great rapport with her.

I see her once a week. We spoke about therapy and the structure that they use. They initally provide sixteen weeks of intergrative psychotherapy. She has spoke about this and wanted me to be sure that I was ready. I told her that I am not in therapy just to be heard. I am here for bloody hard work. She was pleased as she said we are not in the habit of giving people therapy on a on going basis - you can sometimes achieve in three weeks what you can achieve in 3 years with the right therapist and the right client attitude.

I do not want to be in therapy for years I want to learn what I need to learn and live a peaceful life. I am ready to kick ass and face whatever I have too! Bring it! ;-)

I have already had CBT - for six months.

Spirit x

 

[desiderata310]

OH boy. I've been doing this since the new year. We started off just once a week and had a week where I saw him 4 times. (that was exhausting) and we are sitting at twice a week now. I don't know for how long! The mid-week session seems to be left to my discretion but whenever I think I am going to be fine till the following Wednesday something happens to throw me for a loop. The mid-week session is for "support"
woof.
I have no idea how long, how much, how often. I'm hoping not much longer but the reality is, I know I'll be doing this for a while...

 

[Sweethellishlove]

1. How often do you see your therapist/psych? I see her once a week

2. How often would you like to see your therapist/psych? I would like to see her only once a month, I'm really not into therapy it's just nice to have someone to talk to sometimes because I really don't have any social interactions. It's nice to tell someone what's really on my mind and not feel like I'm being judged.

3. Ideally, how often should a client be seeing a therapist/psych in order to best facilitate the healing process? It's really up to the therapist in my opinion. Like I said I don't even want to see her every week but she wants me in there once a week for at least 16 weeks she doesn't want me skipping any weeks. If she wanted me in twice a week I would go in twice a week. She said I can call her whenever I want, but I don't. I'd like to think they know what's best for our healing process.