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Curious about pychotherapy appt.

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Posted 4/12/2005 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
Just wondering, when you go to one of these appointments what can you expect? The office called me on the phone and did a profile- asking what problems I have had etc.. So who do you usually see, is it a psychologist or a psychiatrist or does it vary depending on your need?

Ive never done something like this and I am honestly not good at discussing how I feel with others. It can be hard for me to talk about my disease even with my doctor. So I think talking about depression with a therapist will be really awkward.

Any input/advice?

Posted 4/12/2005 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
I see a psychologist for my therapy. The only time I go to the psychiatrist is for medication management. I have been in your shoes about opening up my feelings. It took me a very long time to be "honest" about my feelings with my therapist. I would talk about things but not go into detail. The vital part of all of this is to get comfortable with your therapist. We have to learn to trust them before we can open up and believe me it won't be on your first visit. At least it wasn't for me. If you ever have a feeling that you cannot trust him/her or that you don't have any chemistry with him/her than it would be a good idea to find another. I have gone through a few until I found one that I could really feel comfortable opening up to. It can be frustrating but to be honest, I don't know where I would be today without my therapist.
Posted 4/12/2005 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks dbab! Dbab said it very well D-Rule.

Counseling is one of the hardest things we can do, but holds the hope of being one of the best things we can do for ourselves.

Being honest with your counselor is the most direct route to solving troubling issues. Dbab said it well.

Blessings!
Posted 4/12/2005 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all
The posts have been interesting - I'm awaiting an appointment with a councellor via my Dr. Lord alone knows how long that will take to come thro, especially as I discontinued councelling after 2 sessions previously. As D-rule says I was unable to open up to the councellor - at that stage I was unable to admit to myself how bad things had become and I was terrified that if I spoke about my feelings the dam would burdt. In hindsight this was a bad move. Perhaps if I could have spoken I could have avoided the pain I inflicted on others later.
I wonder what you think of this - I work in a setting where councelling is available for staff free of charge. Do you think it would be helpful to tap into this while I await other appointment? I know that the councellors at work are very concientous and stick to strict confidentiality guidelines-just worried how this could affect my working relationship with them.
Really feel ready to start this process soon as I need to discuss the feelings strirred up over the past few months as I don't thinkl I can move on until these are dealt with.

To update on progress - re-mortage completed and debts now under control. Return to work tommorrow(Wed) for 2 weeks on half days. Then go to Tenerife with hubby for a week holiday (monies supplied by sons and friends) then back to work full time.

Will keep in touch

Love and hugs

Stumpytroll
Posted 4/12/2005 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
Stumpytroll . . . yes, I would take advantage of the work counseling. I'm glad to see that you are seeing your debts organized in a way you can manage them. I hope you are able to manage w/o adding to them. It takes a lot of discipline, but well worth waiting till you can pay cash for wanted items. Have a great time on your vacation too!!

I hope this isn't a tired subject but. . . when we have a hard time verbalizing something to a counselor . . . it would be helpful to write it out, in detail and bring it with us to the counseling session. When I can write, I can better articulate as I'm not faced with another person and their reactions. I do this for doctor appointments because I tend to be close mouthed when I get there. It has worked well for me 90% of the time. Have even done it with hubby.

Blessings!
Posted 4/12/2005 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
AlwaysRosie, I can definitely relate to writing things down and I also do that to with my hubby. My husband is a lawyer and very good at what he does. So good in fact that he always has me tripping all over my words so by the time our conversation is over is when I realize that I didn't get my point across.

My therapist has me do writing excercises that are designed to make me think about my feelings. I agree that it is very therapeudic. Thanks for adding that, I forgot all about that.

Hugs
Posted 4/12/2005 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
I would like to add that you get of if therapy what you put into it. I have spent sessions where I would tell the therapist what I thought they wanted to hear and walked away saying what a waste. When I have put away the fear and opened up even the slightest amount, I would go away feeling like I had gained and grown more in control of who I am and how I can handle life. Good luck.
Posted 4/12/2005 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
Randy . . . what a true statement. If we need affirmation (and everyone does) that would make it tempting to say what the therapist wants to hear. We really need to make ourselves vulnerable to gain any benefit from counseling.
Posted 4/13/2005 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi D-rule
I'm looking forward to the trip. After all the recent trauma it will be great to chill out.

I'm going to take your advice regarding the work based councelling - thanks to all for your input.

Love and hugs

Stumpytroll
Posted 5/4/2005 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the update D-Rule. I hope you are able to get comfortable with the therapist. Try and be honest and open. Glad you got thru that first appt. which can be kinda scary.
Posted 5/4/2005 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hey D Rule

Typically psychologists are better for therapy than psychiatrists, but that's not true across the board of course. You go to the psychiatrist for meds if necessary. I've finally broken down and started going after debating over it for over a year. My b/f has been bugging me to go, and while that's part of it the suicidal crap is what really got me to go. Sort of a shame I let myself get to that point. It is something to get used to, and finding one that you can build good rapport with is critical. I tried going about 6 months or so ago and I just did not like the guy, and never went back. The woman I'm seeing now is ok so far, I feel more connection with her than the other dude.

Good luck if you decide to go.
Posted 5/4/2005 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
I agree betagirl.  It is very important that you feel comfortable with both.  I was lucky that the first psychologist and I had good repoire.  I have been seeing him over 3 and a half years.

Psychiatrists a different story.... Meds have been hard to find the right combination.  I have seen three different psychiatrist in the last three and a half years.  I just didn't feel very comfortable with the first two.  I am working with one now that is a better fit for me.  She seems more compassionate to me.  Intially I felt a little guilty about switching but I am the paying client so I should make that choice right?

Posted 5/4/2005 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
i am curious, whats cd. is it crohns or chroms disease, but anyway what happens when you have it?
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