[Leia78]

Hey All -

I've been seeing my current therapist since 2011 and before that, I saw had a therapist that I saw beginning sometime around 2008... I've been given coping skills and tackled PTSD trauma and gone through many cycles of mania and depression with my current therapist but lately, I'm just tired of going to therapy. She's great, and I love her and I credit her with actually saving my life more than one time. I would not be alive today had she not intervened on more than one occasion. Maybe I don't feel like going because I'm stable at the moment and my meds are working like they're supposed to but I don't feel like I need anything right now. I also know that stability brings it's own challenges to, though, because after living in chaos for so long without it, life brings you a problem and you have to face it without the distraction of bipolar chaos so without that chaos, the seemingly regular life problem seems like an alien thing to figure out.... I don't know. I'm feeling fine for once and I'm feeling like no more therapy!! But, I'm just fooling myself, I guess. I'd rather spend my therapy money on a photography course. Thanks for reading... venting over.

If you have reached a place where you can generally cope in healthy ways with whatever life throws at you without need of a therapist to help you through it, you are probably ready to go without. That was basically where I found myself about three years ago. I had worked through my PTSD issues (which probably caused me more problems than my bipolar episodes), and I found myself in a good, stable place, able to manage life and really not having more to work through in therapy. Have you considered just seeing your therapist as needed rather than regularly? That's kind of how my therapist and I left things (and I actually haven't been back to see him in like two years).

[hopeless2015]

I agree, if your unsure spread out your appointments and see how you feel about that. Say make and appt for a month out, then go two etc. Sounds like your in a good place though.

[Unrigged64072835]

If you're doing fine it's okay to go less often (if at all). Right now I'm seeing my T every other week, and may go longer than that here soon. I'm stable and have worked through the abuse so it's more a check-in than anything.

If you are functioning well, not haunted by your past, able to conquer your present, then therapy is required. If it's a financial hardship, all the more so.

[xRavenx]

I can relate on some levels. I feel I've gotten enough therapy out of my one therapist. While I wouldn't necessarily use the word "stable" to describe myself, therapy is a lot of money, and I am doing some nice things for myself that cost money that I find more effective (i.e. the occasional massage, shop for some work clothes). The therapist office is a good half hour from my house too, and with the high co-pay, it is my plan to take a break from therapy and tell her at next session that I am planning on terminating.

That's great that you are feeling stable and that you've gained a lot from therapy! If you're ready, go for it.

[MBM17]

Agree with Lola.