How Often Do You See Your Therapist?

[ellienad]

I currently see my T twice a week and we've had this schedule since the beginning. However, sometimes I've gone three times in one week. The times I've done this I've had the most beneficial sessions, mostly because the 3 days created regularity and I was comfortable enough to open up more. That said though, I'm struggling at the moment because I really would like to go three days a week most of the time, but I'm embarrassed that I'm there so much :(

I know everyone is different and should do what works best for them, but I'm just curious how often other people see their therapists currently or how often they have seen them in the past?

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

Usually I got twice a week. Sometimes I've gone a week or almost 2 between. Right now I am switching it up a little and adding a group session to that so in total it might become 3 times a week. I think it makes sense to feel more comfortable by spending more time.

 

[Chosen]

because there are session limits working with a university counselor, the most I got to see him one semester was every week...and then most of the time it's 3-4 weeks in between sessions, sometimes longer. This time it's 5 weeks. And two summers I had to wait over 3 months because he was on a 9 month contract.
I wish I could see him at least every other week, and I'd LOVE to see him every week.

Do what's best for you!

 

[seekingstability]

Once a week - But I can text her and arrange a time to speak to her on the phone - or I can ask for an extra session if I need to.[DOUBLEPOST=1402013721,1402013614][/DOUBLEPOST]I think it depends on whether you're seeing someone privately or through the public system. I'm private so my T gets paid very well for her time.

 

[seedling]

I go to therapy once a week and acupuncture twice a week ( I talk about my feelings/trauma there too, so it's like therapy in its own way).

I know what you mean about feeling embarrassed. For me the feeling comes and goes in intensity. I go through times when I feel like I shouldn't need to go so often. Then I take a look at the benefits I've had from it and the work I put in to it (I do my homework between sessions and practice old and new skills) and accept it.

I don't like to skip weeks in therapy. I'm going less often for a few months because I don't have insurance right now.
I feel like so much time passes between sessions when I miss a week. I've broken the continuity of my work. I have a harder time opening up and getting down to the harder stuff.

I've been in therapy four years and acupuncture for three years. I used to go to acupuncture three times a week. I'm not on medication and see that as my medication.

I'm not entirely certain what drives me to put so much effort into my recovery. I do get a lot out of it.
Maybe I'm just unable to ignore it so I might as well deal with it :):eek:

 

[ellienad]

@paidfor I'm private as well, so I don't have a limit as to how often I can see my T. She's also very good about allowing me to choose how many days work best for me, and we've talked about my feeling embarrassed for being there so much...but either way I still feel like: :sorry:

For me the feeling comes and goes in intensity. I go through times when I feel like I shouldn't need to go so often. Then I take a look at the benefits I've had from it and the work I put in to it (I do my homework between sessions and practice old and new skills) and accept it.

@seedling Yep, exactly!! I completely go back and fourth.

We take things one week at a time, if I feel like I need to add an extra day I add an extra day. If I feel like I can manage then I stick to two. It's just that awful embarrassed feeling I can't shake when I ask for that third day! :(

 

[seedling]

But then there's that wonderful great feeling when you know you get the extra session!

 

[ellienad]

@seedling Yes, very true ;) It's just getting over the initial feeling I guess...ugh.

I feel like I'm the only one who sees their T this often AND feels bad about it...

 

[seekingstability]

I know what you mean - I almost feel proud when I only 'need' one session a week - and I put off texting or calling my T - I always feel an element of shame walking into her office after calling her in a meltdown and asking for an extra session... I don't know how to get over that either.

 

[ellienad]

I almost feel proud when I only 'need' one session a week - and I put off texting or calling my T - I always feel an element of shame walking into her office after calling her in a meltdown and asking for an extra session...

@paidfor YES. This is so me. I've brought up my feelings of embarrassment to my T and she's assured me that she's there if I need her or an extra session. But even still I just feel SO bad about asking for that extra day.

Maybe it just takes time? Guess this is something I should probably bring up at my next session...

 

[seekingstability]

I read something today that I relate to. Last time I had an extra session I told her that I put off and put off texting her and she kept asking why? What do you think that I'm going to think about you? At the time I said that I was attempting to put into practice all the skills I had learnt in therapy and calling meant that I either wasn't trying hard enough with these skills or that they weren't working.

I read though that containment is not just in the skills we learn but a combination of putting the skills into play combined with containment through the therapeutic relationship.

Something that rang really true for me, particularly because we're trying to veer away from talking specifically about my trauma (I'm pregnant and studies show that emotional distress in gestation can be harmful) but in doing so - my terror of abandonment has been triggered causing more stress than if I talked about it. When I texted her yesterday and said that I wasn't coping - she texted back and said many things that were helpful but the two things that stuck were 1. you are loved and 2. you are safe now.

I've read that text many times over the last 24 hours and its definitely eased my feelings of panic.

I know I'll struggle walking into her office on Tuesday - but if I think that she thinks about me the way I think about my clients, then she would want me to go to her feeling safe, relieved and having a sense of comfort. Remembering this at the time is hard though.

You're not alone.[DOUBLEPOST=1402018816,1402018643][/DOUBLEPOST]I think also because of the work I do - a fear is definitely - If I can't be ok for myself, how can I be ok for my clients? How can I manage a crisis with a client if I struggle to manage my own? If she sees me in a meltdown, will she be secretly feeling sorry for my clients and consider me incompetent?

The negative projections are not helpful.

 

[ellienad]

@paidfor Thank you so much for sharing this. It's really resonated with me! :hug: