Not sure what to do

[trying to heal]

I have had 2 sessions with my new T and she seems lovely but I just don't know if this is going to work.

I had such a long wait (5 or 6 weeks) between sessions and my next appointment is now not until December.

A few things ticked me off...but the biggest thing was she sat behind her desk using her laptop repeatedly while we were in session. It is very offputting and I felt like she wasn't really paying attention. I don't know where we are heading.

I feel like there isn't a firm plan and also I feel like I cant just vent at all. I still really haven't gotten over losing my last T and the abandonment issues surrounding that but I havent been able to talk about any of that as she has controlled the topics of conversation.

I went to this T as a good friend of mine recommended her and I was told she has previously helped people with PTSD and trauma. I have no more Medicare bulk billed sessions (Free) left as I have filled my quota for the year (10 sessions) plus I have used up my 4 private insurance rebate sessions so am seeing her on private billing. She is relatively cheap ($85/hr). The other psychologist that was recommended is $140/ hr and I just don't know if I can emotionally go through starting up again.

My head is just all over the place... I know December/January is always a terrible time for me (Anniversary) so having a good T in place that I can trust is going to be important.

 

[Akhos]

I think its really important that you tell her how she is making you feel, as the sessions are all about you and if you cannot relax or trust her, then it wont be as effective as it could be. You are paying for them so its important that you get the most out of it that you can.

Tell her that it made you feel uncomfortable (and unapproachable??) typing on her laptop, and you just feel like there is no goals set yet and you really need these things to change.

 

[EveHarrington]

I'd bail just based on the fact that you're going almost 2 months between sessions.

She doesn't yet know how to say "no, I am not accepting new patients."-----Something she should have done a long time ago.

Her client load is full. She is doing a disservice to all of her clients.

I honestly think it's best to move on as you aren't going to get anywhere with only 8 sessions a year! (Guesstimate.)

 

[Tinyflame]

I think there's a lot more opportunity for healing and groundedness without such breaks, provided she is so good. It's easy to fall back/ down without focus or improving.

Idk what to say. :( I wish you much luck. :hug:

 

[Sideways]

Could you have a conversation with the practice manager? Because there’s 2 issues: not seeing her regularly enough, but also the cost of the sessions. Simply having more regular sessions may be helpful, but not if it’s financially impossible.

It’s okay to plan out the issues and then call or email the practice and ask to talk to someone about scheduling appointments and payment planning. Because simply being offered more appointments isn’t necessarily going to solve the problem.

As an alternative, explore local community-based support services as a possible way to supplement the sessions with this T, to get some support between sessions. Depending on where you are, community based mental health organisations often have ways and means of hooking people up with more affordable programs and services that may not be well known.

Another possibility, depending on where you are, would be to link in with the public health system. Some (not all) have community based outreach services and DBT programs etc which are aimed at helping keep people managing in the community. Again, community mental health organisations are usually in the loop with these options.