Increase In Symptoms Since Decrease In Therapy

[Morphius]

Hi guys,

As you may remember, last time I posted how my therapist's clinic only allows clients to come in once per week because "some healthcare providers promise to pay for more than once per week but don't."

Anyway, I mentioned how she was the best therapist I've had, however, since I transitioned to once a week, I notice a lot of things have come back.

• Suicidal thoughts
• Temper
• Very frequent zoning out/dissociation. Even while doing something.
• Increase in bad memory (meaning I can't remember days at a time or important things). Even very simple things.
• Unstable emotions. Extreme highs, to extreme lows, numb, anger, sadness and back.
• Paranoia.

I'm not sure in this case what to do. I really like her and find that she helps in that once a week but it's just I'm not sure if these symptoms are bad now, how they'll be down the line. I've been trying hard. Really hard. But even my attempts at going to group and such don't help. I really think I need help. But then these moments will hit where I'm like, excuse my language, "**** that! I don't need more than once a week. I'll be fine." I don't know what part of myself to listen to and where to go from here. But what I do know is that her clinic policy is non negotiable.

 

[Kintsugi]

I'm having trouble understanding what your options are. Can you explain a little more?

 

[Morphius]

I'm having trouble understanding what your options are. Can you explain a little more?

I can stay with her once per week or find another therapist who can see me either 2 times per week or more, when needed.

Cons of moving on: I built a great bond with my current therapist.
Possible Pros: Maybe I'll find another therapist who can see me as much as I need and gradually get better.

 

[Kintsugi]

Okay, gotcha.

Is there no way for you to see another mental health worker of some sort as-needed?

For me, more than one session a week is extremely overwhelming/draining, but when I went from once a week to once every other week, there was a definite adjustment period.

ETA: due to my schedule and the expense of therapy (my T only does out-of-pocket) I had to only do twice a month.

 

[Morphius]

Okay, gotcha.

Is there no way for you to see another mental health worker of some sort as-needed?...

My healthcare pays 100% for me but they won't pay for two different therapists, if that makes sense. Only one, and that one should be able to treat me as I need.

Oh, I can understand that. For me, I've always been going to therapy 2-3 times per week, so now, I'm kind of unsure of what to do. Is it kickback from adjusting to once a week? Or am I actually getting worse? (Rhetorical). I go to the gym as well as once a week group of a sort, but I find myself dissociating a lot more - - and I don't want to jeopardize me mental health.

 

[Freedomfighter]

Have you asked your T what can be done in that case? Can she give you assignments to work on at home? A lot of therapy is repeated treatments that are identical and many issues have to be worked on multiple times before they can completely be solved.

 

[Morphius]

Have you asked your T what can be done in that case? Can she give you assignments to work on at...

Nothing can be done, but the whole assignments thing is an interesting idea... I may discuss this option. Thank you very much.

 

[Rumors]

What about joining group therapy? Perhaps she might have a suggestion for a group that might work for you. It sounds as if you need a larger support group than just your therapist. Or, did you offer to private pay the second session? I think finding a network of people you can connect with could help....good luck!

 

[kilted]

You could do something else that is potentially therapeutic and use that to boost the effectiveness of your weekly therapy. I explored various dance and massage options.... with the support of my therapist. I found the combination of talk therapy and body/movement process very beneficial. Later I found out about the work of van der Kolk and Levine and understood I had unconsciously stumbled into working both cognitively and somatically..... a good combo with trauma/attachment.

I also found the addition of another regular therapeutic activity useful in adding stability, routine and additional "me time" into my life.

 

[mrsmegan]

What about joining group therapy? Perhaps she might have a suggestion for a group that might work for you. It sounds as if you need a larger support group than just your therapist. Or, did you offer to private pay the second session? I think finding a network of people you can connect with could help....good luck!

I think these are great suggestions.

I also wanted to ask how long it has been since you moved to 1x per week. I think it makes sense that the initial transition could be really hard, and you would expect some reaction, but I guess the question remains when is it a normal reaction to transition versus a sign that you are not getting what you need.

I don't know the answer to that, but just something to think about.

 

[James McGregor]

I can stay with her once per week or find another therapist who can see me either 2 times per week or...

its sometimes not recommended to see a therapist too often, that may be the problem. While it feels like additional support, it can actually be doing you more harm than good, the fact you respond so badly to a cut in therapy would support that. Just bring it up with the therapist, and they can help with the adjustment