[IAmStrongEnough]

Still rather new here and tried attending a chat I was looking forward to tonight but it wouldn't let me - apparently I haven't hit my quota yet, and need some advice anyhow, so here goes...

I have been seeing the same T for about a year now and have stopped progressing. If I really examine why that might be, I feel like it's because she has become the one and only person who listens to me (I don't have many friends anymore, partly because of all of my anxiety and depression) and I bottle so much inside that by the time I get to my appointment each week, I just unload - good, bad, work, personal, whatever. And I don't get much insight into the deep stuff - my social anxieties, my OCD and extreme fear of losing people I love, my overeating disorder, my depression, etc... I could go on and on.

Well - last week I had a breakdown - my family had been planning a road trip about 1,000 miles from home for the weekend and I had planned to stay home. About 5 days before they left, I had my appt. and asked my T for help with my fear about their trip - she told me to stay busy and the weekend will be over before I know and they'll be home safe. Well that night I had a horrible nightmare which led to a complete breakdown and in my panic, I decided to drop everything and go with them. My alternative was to stay home and worry beyond anything remotely sane for 4 days. So I boarded my dog, took emergency PTO, spent money I shouldn't have and left with them just so I wouldn't worry for 4 days. Of course, now that the trip is over and we're all home safely, I regret my decision. And the wheels keep on turnin with all my anxieties.....

I realize I need to speak up and either ask for her to help me focus on the deep issues and not just be a friendly ear to me, or find someone else.... Any advice on this? Finding someone else and having them get to know my background all over just sounds exhausting... And I am so uncomfortable telling someone I am unhappy with them or that they're not helping me and I haven't a clue where or how to start. Thought I'd throw this out there and see if anyone has any advice to offer...

Thanks

Hello, IAmStrongEnough. Printing a copy of your post for your therapist might be helpful. It seems you do not think you are receiving the treatment you need. Be your own best advocate and work out a treatment plan with your therapist.

Good luck.