No Extension With Psychotherapist-what Was It All For?

[Brokensoul88]

I have 4 free sessions left with my T and it has taken me so long to be able to trust her. I hoped there could be an extension or if I could find the money somehow see her privately. The charity said no on both counts, no extension & they have a policy where Ts cannot see people privately from their charity after the free sessions end. I've been trying to get some funding from another charity to continue it but that's all pointless now. I cried for probably the 1st 20 minutes of our session because I thought "What the hell do I do now?" I've made myself vulnerable, I'm trying to find a way to get past my trauma, but now all I can think is this is it, for the rest of my life. This is who I will be, this anxiety ridden, melancholic mess. So now it will be back to upping the meds & trying to block out what I can because I can't do this alone. In the end because I'm stopping just when I have trust in her & im starting to be able to express things, it was all for nothing. What should I do now?

 

[Lucycat]

Think from their perspective. They are clear with the rules from the beginning. They are a charity and don't want to operate a two tier system whereby those who can afford it get more than those who can't. Try to use your remaining sessions productively rather than wasting time thinking about the impossible.

If you feel that you need more therapy can you ask your GP for a referral or go to an alternative provider. I do appreciate that you are finding this really hard, but respect the charity's decision. They are not being harsh on you, they have provided a set number of free sessions - please reflect on what you have learned through them.

 

[Sandstone]

Oh @Brokensoul88 , I feel for you. It is so hard when you hit this. I've been there too in the past and am going to my last session with my NHS T tomorrow. We don't recover according to arbitrary timescales, do we?

It hasn't been for nothing. Truly it hasn't. You have learned some specific things while working with this T, and you will be able to go on applying them. Much more importantly you have learned that you can trust someone and be open with them. You need to grieve for what you have lost, but after that, you will be able to trust someone else

 

[Deleted member 29920]

I would ask your gp for psychotherapy on the NHS? Is that possible for you? I'm sorry to read, it's devastating when this happens, I opened up to an NHS psychologist in 2014 and was forced to have at least six months break, I'm only just starting to feel better regarding that now.

 

[Neverthesame]

It's also entirely possible that you may get on even better with a new therapist than you did the last one.

 

[Brokensoul88]

I've been put on an NHS waiting list for some counselling but it will be months away & my upset is that this particular T has been such a support to me, her approach is so different to any therapist and it works for me. I didn't know when it started that I couldn't extend after (it was suggested I could) or try & continue after with her privately with help from a different charity- I wasn't advised of that policy