School's Out For Summer... Now What?

[InsideAWord]

I had to see a counselor at my university because my mother (whose insurance I'm under) didn't want me to go see a therapist under her insurance because she kept threatening that the insurance company wouldn't cover it after so many visits.

So, I had my last therapy meeting and I'm a bit disappointed.

My counselor was pretty good -- she had been a therapist at a prison in my city so she understood where my trauma came from. But, now, I don't have a counselor or a therapist for the rest of the summer. I still see my psychiatrist, but as most of us know, psychiatrists are for one thing and therapists are for the other.

I enjoyed therapy because once a week I was able to unload and actually talk out some of my symptoms, whether it was dissociation, depersonalization, flashbacks, nightmares, night terrors, panic attacks, hyper-vigilance, some delusions, etc.

Yes, I've learned strategies that help me cope when triggers set me off, but I mostly used therapy to unload. My mother and sister refuse to hear anymore about some of the mental burdens I must endure daily... even though they'll demand to know why I'm in a bad mood one day despite the fact that I was probably encountering a lot of stress. So, usually, I just say that everything is fine and keep it in. But, every Wednesday I was able to talk about the things that were bothering me.

My psychiatrist encourages me to talk during our sessions, and she'll even engage in off-topic conversations with me that I'm knowledgeable about just to get me talking. But, I only see her once a month to refill my script since my state requires that I visit my psychiatrist whenever I have my script filled. Nevertheless, I always look forward to speaking with her.

But, now, I won't be able to unload my stress once a week. I'll have to figure out a different therapy for myself, or have a hard talk with my mother to allow me to continue therapy with an actual therapist that will require insurance. And, I don't think that conversation will end well.

Sure, I have the forum, but sometimes I feel like I infuriate people on here. Honestly, I sometimes feel like many people on here dislike me or don't take me seriously.

Any advice?

 

[catjudo]

Some insurance plans will only cover a specific number of therapy sessions. Since you do have insurance, would it be possible to use the insurance to see a different therapist during the summer? It's unlikely that you would exhaust the benefits in just a few months...and you could just make sure you know how many sessions the insurance would cover and be sure to plan the frequency of your appointments so that you don't run out of covered visits before you return to school. Then when you go back to college in the fall you could resume with your regular therapist. It's not the ideal situation, but would at least give you someone to talk to and help you through until you can see your regular therapist again.

 

[InsideAWord]

It's a matter of persuading my mother to agree to my therapy resuming... prior to my college counselor, I did see an actual therapist who was with me from the beginning of my symptoms, but my mother made me stop seeing her. I want to start seeing her again though because she saw me at my absolute worst.

 

[ghotiff]

Do you have a trauma diary....can you unload there? I know it wouldn't be the same, but maybe it would help.

 

[InsideAWord]

I have a private one that only Anthony and I can see, but I don't think Anthony can / will comment on those and give feedback...

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Even if you use all the sessions given to you, therapists can ask insurance for more. You can call and ask how many are left.

 

[InsideAWord]

Even if you use all the sessions given to you, therapists can ask insurance for more. You can call and ask how many are left.

I didn't know that, Ayesha. Do I call the insurance company and then inform the therapist how many sessions are left and if they can appeal that for more sessions?

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

I am sorry. I don't know how it works. Call insurance company might be a good place to start?

 

[InsideAWord]

Call insurance company might be a good place to start?

For sure. I'll try to call tomorrow for more information so I can present that to my mother when I speak to her. Thank you for telling me about that, Ayesha. It is much appreciated.

 

[Rumors]

Do you go back to school in the fall? What if you went to someone over the summer and then resumed with the school therapist in the fall??? Can you ask your school therapist for help? Not trying to be judgmental, but it sounds like your mom needs a reality check. Nothing is more important than tending to your health. Because of the new insurance laws, you can no longer be denied coverage for pre existing condition so that isn't a concern. Is it possible for you to get a summer job and pay for your own??
Best wishes

 

[amy4k]

Some organizations provide therapy on a sliding scale based on your income. When I was in college I did not want to use my parents insurance for therapy because I was having therapy because of them. The place my college sent me to (they were not able to provide the long term care the felt I needed) used my income to determine session cost. Your college may have a list of these groups. Local United Ways often help support these offices and may have a list or your Psychiatrist may know of someone.

 

[Chosen]

from what I heard, it's usually the T's job to advocate with insurance on your behalf. Leastways, that's how it worked with my friend.