Which Direction To Go In W/therapy?

[Gcat]

I'm 47 and have PTSD and possible c-PTSD with bipolar in the family. I've been Dxed with Bipolar II, though not all doctors were sure I had it. I'm on Zoloft, lithium and a thyroid med, with clonazepam if I need it. I had therapy for 23 years starting after one suicide attempt at age 21 but recently have taken a hiatus from therapy for about 7 months in part due to insurance issues and also to see if I could "do it on my own". Now I'm seeking a therapist again, but want to feel like it's more for maintenance because I don't want to feel I need to be in therapy forever. The problem is, I am unsure what kind of therapist to continue with...what seems to make the most sense?:

(a) a Trauma Specialist- I've seen one before and have done EMDR with her, with moderate success. But felt I was overly focused on trauma issues and missed talking about everyday issues to retain a sense of balance and 'normalcy'- isn't it possible to be 'over-therapied' or talk issues to death?
(b) a Grief Therapist- to address one of my Top Three Main Traumas, the sudden death of my brother due to unknown side effects of a psychotropic medication. I had complicated grief in part due to my brother's long and sometimes devastating bipolar illness, my single mother's role as 'nurse' in helping to manage it, and my own survivor guilt. I have no other siblings, just two distant half-siblings on my father's side.
(c) a Deaf Therapist- I lost most of my hearing due to meningitis at 16 months (another Top Three Main Trauma, since I almost died from the meningitis, had an out-of-body experience I think, and the deafness significantly impacted all areas of my life.) The Deaf therapist can sign (though I both speak and sign) and helps address "Deaf identity" issues. She's also a feminist. I am now considering getting a cochlear implant which can allow me greater access to the hearing world and fewer problems with marginalization and isolation.
(d) a Generalist/Doctor of Psychology/CBT Therapist: this therapist I saw before helped me address my complicated relationship with my mother. One of my big issues with my mother was not being able to tell her for about 12 years about two of my molesters, her then-boyfriend (one incident when I was 5 in bed) and a cousin (her brother's son- a few incidents)- the sexual abuse is the third Top Three Main Traumas. Also as a result of what happened to my brother, she went off all her medications that were supposedly treating her bipolar which she now claims not to have. I don't know, maybe she doesn't- I'm unsure/confused. She tried to get me off my medications and even tried to interfere with my doctors and therapists, which caused a major rift between us and subsequently added to my PTSD.

I have to admit that during my 7 months without therapy (I saw my psychiatrist more often), I figured out on my own (and with past tools from other therapists) how to do self-care. But one reason why I'm going back is because I had a couple of slips, and I don't want to be without a therapist entirely. Plus I lost my job last June due to discrimination related to being deaf/hard of hearing and PTSD so I need to talk to a therapist about what to do with re-employment. I have a Master's and a doctorate in Deaf Education/ASL but I'm seriously considering something more low-key like working in a non-profit, art and/or writing.

Some of the therapy tools I really like are more creative and body-centered in nature, such as art therapy, tapping, craniosacral, energy healing, EMDR and so on. Also I currently only have Medicare (with SSDI) so my options are limited. I'm also a believer in developing a good support system, exercise, etc. I've come a long way but still deal with ptsd symptoms.

I know therapy is individual for most people, but I hope I can get some insight into what will be most effective and balanced. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[franciemarnie]

I vote Somatic Therapist to release whatever emotional energy you've got cooped up - whether related to trauma or grief or what have you. And you could still talk about day to day stuff those times there is no energy coming up for an exit.

I love the other creative and body centered healing ways too.

In fact, tomorrow I go for another energy healing session. I am psyched.

I am not a cochlear implant candidate yet, but I have serious to profound loss depending on the frequency. I read a fantastic book Odyssey of Hearing Loss - Tales of Triumph by Michael Harvey. Until then, I hadn't realized how hearing loss had affected my experience of life. It started so long ago - in grade school. It was denied by the family. They kind of had to accept it when I got my first hearing aids in my 20's.

That would be cool if you began a new path with art or writing. I have been writing since I lost my job five years ago. I love the life. It's what I always wanted to do. But of course at first I thought losing my job was the worst thing ever. So glad some times when things aren't what they seem. The river changes course.

 

[a3a2]

I cannot advise you on which therapist to choose, but I gotta say that is a gorgeous cat!!

I, too, am in the maintenance phase, and don't know how I would do it without my t. We simply do "talk therapy", and for me, it works.

I wish you well on your continued healing journey.

 

[Hashi]

Craniosacral therapy has really helped me. The therapist taught me how to tune into my body/system myself as well, including with Focussing (developed by Eugene Gendlin). We also did guided meditation.

I love art therapy. I find things really shift and get processed with art when I would be stuck trying to approach them any other way. I've seen an integrative psychotherapist, which means trained in several different specialties, and in my case that included art therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) and transactional analysis. I'm very alternative so the therapist I saw was transpersonal (metaphysical approaches) and we also did a lot of dreamwork, work with Jungian concepts like archetypes/alchemy and a bit of Gestalt.

Other integrative psychotherapists might have a more mainstream mix, like CBT and EMDR but I'm not personally a fan of either of those.

I'm afraid I don't know what the options are with Medicare because I'm in a different country. Whatever particular approaches suit you, if possible I'd recommend looking for a single therapist who covers several of them. I'd always see someone with training and experience in trauma/PTSD.

If you've got any questions about any of the therapies I've done, just ask.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

The goal of therapy is to not need therapy. Since you haven't processed your trauma yet, you may want to seriously consider a trauma therapist who will teach you coping skills and then process your trauma with you. Otherwise, I believe you will likely end up just spinning your wheels and these unresolved trauma issues will keep rearing it's read and causing issues. I honestly believe that healing is limited if we don't process out past as our minds will still be stuck in the past. The key is being able to "un-stick" our minds.

 

[Gcat]

I cannot advise you on which therapist to choose, but I gotta say that is a gorgeous cat!!

That's my kitty Braveheart (named after the painted faces of the warriors in the movie of the same name, plus he's a rescue so I gave him a brave name) and he will be happy to hear someone else thinks he is gorgeous! He stands up tall when people say so.

 

[PureDogs]

@Gcat

First of all, Beauitful cat and I check your profile; I noticed that you are from Maryland. That's great because I am also from Maryland as well. It is nice to see someone who sufferer of PTSD locally. I have wondered about that as well.

(a) a Trauma Specialist- I've seen one before and have done EMDR with her, with moderate success. But felt I was overly focused on trauma issues and missed talking about everyday issues to retain a sense of balance and 'normalcy'- isn't it possible to be 'over-therapied' or talk issues to death?

I have heard of EMDR and never tried it. I have read other threads about it and it sounds like it is challenging, isn't it?

(c) a Deaf Therapist- I lost most of my hearing due to meningitis at 16 months (another Top Three Main Trauma, since I almost died from the meningitis, had an out-of-body experience I think, and the deafness significantly impacted all areas of my life.) The Deaf therapist can sign (though I both speak and sign) and helps address "Deaf identity" issues. She's also a feminist. I am now considering getting a cochlear implant which can allow me greater access to the hearing world and fewer problems with marginalization and isolation.

There are deaf therapist in DC Metro - called ACS and you can check it out and see what they has to offer. They does not accept certain insurance such as Medicare and Medicaid as I asked about it few years ago. I don't know if they still have the same policy or changed. I suggest you to find out to see if they can, sometimes they would give you other resources to go different therapist.

My current therapist does sign, however, my therapist is clinical social worker but I rate this therapist very good. I do have psychiatrist under agency in PG County - there are an interpreter on site.

I'm sorry that you lost your job due to discrimination and if you felt that you were wrongly losing the job; you do have right to file grievance.

I wish you the best and I hope this would be helpful for you.

 

[Gcat]

"I am not a cochlear implant candidate yet, but I have serious to profound loss depending on the frequency. ........They kind of had to accept it when I got my first hearing aids in my 20's."

Dear Franciemarie, I wasn't good cochlear implant candidate a few years ago because I had a lot of residual hearing and did well with my hearing aids (the CI destroys residual hearing), but check out the new cochlear-hearing aid hybrid which saves the residual hearing. That's what I'm being assessed for. I'm also going back to a therapist to talk about my concerns about 'more medical trauma' if I opt to do it. If it's not worth it, forget it--I won't alter my precious body.

 

[Gcat]

Hi PureDogs- it would be great to form a local trauma support group, especially a Deaf/hard of hearing group, in the Metro DC area. The Deaf therapist I saw and might go back to is from ASC-Alternative Solutions Center. And the school district I worked for is under investigation for discrimination- I filed an EEOC complaint. It was the first time that school district hired a Deaf teacher and they botched the accommodations I needed.

 

[PureDogs]

@Gcat

I'm glad to hear that it is under investigation.

I believe that there are some at Gallaudet but I'm not sure but it would be good to check it out. I think ASC should (May have) more resources to provide to go see therapist who are Deaf. May I ask, do you prefer Deaf therapist or a therapist whose can sign, or with an interpreter?

 

[Gcat]

Hi again PureDogs, I do OK one-on-one with a hearing therapist I can understand, or someone who can sign- though there are few really qualified therapists who can sign or who specialize in trauma. I am not comfortable with an interpreter in private sessions. Actually I'd prefer to carry on this conversation in private with you but don't see that option. If you do, contact me that way. Thanks. :)

 

[PureDogs]

@Gcat

I understand and no problem. :-)