When You Don't "need" Therapy?

[Watch this space]

I am a ctrauma peep who has had a fair amount of therapy. I am now at a stage where I don't "need" it to get through a week or stay off self harm etc,

But at the same time I have lots to work through like emotional numbing and general self esteem issues.

Thoughts?

 

[Ronin]

I think needs change.

Just because one doesn't need support in the same form / extent as before, doesn't mean they don't need support. Or that, if they don't need that support, that support can't benefit them.

About as much. Assistance in self work (or any kind of work) can be beneficial. Just because it's not needed doesn't mean it can't be useful.

 

[Suzetig]

I had this discussion with my therapist just this week. My initial "need" has passed in that I'm not highly symptomatic but that now gives me space to look at issues around self worth and having a sense of meaning and purpose in my life. It's nice not to be in crisis at the moment and nice too to be able to use therapy as space for personal growth instead of fire fighting all the time.

You may decide to leave therapy or to use it differently but I want recognise your progress in feeling more stable, that's a massive achievement, well done.

 

[The Albatross]

I know for me the not "needing" because I was no longer high risk was wrapped up in financial issues... I was private paying my T. I was still deemed "moderate risk" (I did periodic risk assessments) when I finished my therapy however I was able to work through a lot of it with education, peer support and exposures or goal challenging. I would advise though discussing it with your therapist and see what the feedback is. You don't say if you have any maladaptive behaviors (drugs, booze, self harm, etc.) or not, but I'd take that into consideration as well in addition to any depressive tendencies or cycling.

I did get progress post therapy... but I also took aim straight away with my most difficult stuff and stayed on track with the process. I am now low risk and about 4 years post therapy. Quirky at times, but much improved and still going... haven't found what I call my "highest functioning level" yet.

Good topic!

 

[mary1979]

Hard to know when to call quits isn't it.

I had 8 years worth and while I changed and grew a lot in that time, I still walked away with a mountain of baggage I wasn't ready to tackle yet.

Only just starting to identify much of it this year, and its been 10 yrs since I saw my psych.

 

[watundah]

It is a journey. As others state, there may still be healing to be done. I'm very high functioning and few would guess the damages I harbor. The more we dig, the more we're uncovering. I do.wonder, too, how does one know they're done? Can we ever feel whole? My T told me we'll know when we get there. Seems very far away to me. I think it may help if you spend some time reflecting upon what your goals are, where you want to be and whether you can get there on your own.

 

[Crow]

I've been pretty much out of crisis for two years now. The therapy I've done in the past 24 months has been more beneficial to my life than all the prior years combined. I'm learning how to actually enjoy living. In some ways this is harder work than just getting stable. I too am paying out of pocket - about 48% of my take home pay so it's a financial burden but so far well worth it.

 

[EveHarrington]

Hi,

I think that many people go to therapy who don't need it just to get through a week or to not hurt themselves.

I think it is good that you see other areas in your life to work on.

Perhaps if you don't feel that you need therapy every week you could reduce it to once every other week?