[netsavy006]

I know that you guys would be blessed to be able to go to a program like the one I go to, but I'm not happy even with what I have.

I asked my program counselor if I could go back on Fridays (so I could be going 3 days a week, and I explained the groups that I want from the Friday schedule).

She told me that if I wanted to adjust my schedule we would have to have another meeting and that we've had a lot of meetings recently, and she wants me to become more stable with the schedule I have now. She says in a couple of months I have my scheduled treatment plan meeting and if I wanted to change anything then, that would be the time to do it, but she wants me to adjust to my current 2 days a week.

I'm very annoyed at her for not letting me come back to program 3 days a week. The way she talks (and this is just my un-rational thinking I know), she makes me feel like I'm not welcome to the program.

Now I don't think it's fair that I can't go back to program 3 days a week. I need something to help keep me busy during the day too so I don't ruminate about negative things.

There are 2 people at program that I know that have a job and still come to program 3 days a week. (so I don't think it's a job that's keeping her from putting me back on a 3 day a week schedule)

I also know someone at my program who has more independence (I think) than I do and she goes to program 3 days a week too.

If other people can go to program 3 days a week and not be given a hard time with, why can't I be in program 3 days a week.

Not only this, but the days I am there I feel like they are pushing me to do things that I'm not ready to work on. Like, oh look on the web for volunteer jobs, call numbers, but I'm not ready to go that step yet, I want to level out from my other job mess.

I have my counselors work email (she gave it to me), and I was thinking of writing her a message, but I don't know if it would be helpful or appropriate.

I've also (and I think because it ties in to my frustration), I want to "make" myself symptomatic so I can go to the hospital "as leverage" or "spite" or "to prove a point".

Why does program have to give me a hard time. I tell them what I feel I need and it doesn't seem like they are listening to me or even acknowledge me.

How should I go about this?
~ Andy

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by netsavy006

I know that you guys would be blessed to be able to go to a program like the one I go to, but I'm not happy even with what I have.

I asked my program counselor if I could go back on Fridays (so I could be going 3 days a week, and I explained the groups that I want from the Friday schedule).

She told me that if I wanted to adjust my schedule we would have to have another meeting and that we've had a lot of meetings recently, and she wants me to become more stable with the schedule I have now. She says in a couple of months I have my scheduled treatment plan meeting and if I wanted to change anything then, that would be the time to do it, but she wants me to adjust to my current 2 days a week.

I'm very annoyed at her for not letting me come back to program 3 days a week. The way she talks (and this is just my un-rational thinking I know), she makes me feel like I'm not welcome to the program.

Now I don't think it's fair that I can't go back to program 3 days a week. I need something to help keep me busy during the day too so I don't ruminate about negative things.

There are 2 people at program that I know that have a job and still come to program 3 days a week. (so I don't think it's a job that's keeping her from putting me back on a 3 day a week schedule)

I also know someone at my program who has more independence (I think) than I do and she goes to program 3 days a week too.

If other people can go to program 3 days a week and not be given a hard time with, why can't I be in program 3 days a week.

Not only this, but the days I am there I feel like they are pushing me to do things that I'm not ready to work on. Like, oh look on the web for volunteer jobs, call numbers, but I'm not ready to go that step yet, I want to level out from my other job mess.

I have my counselors work email (she gave it to me), and I was thinking of writing her a message, but I don't know if it would be helpful or appropriate.

I've also (and I think because it ties in to my frustration), I want to "make" myself symptomatic so I can go to the hospital "as leverage" or "spite" or "to prove a point".

Why does program have to give me a hard time. I tell them what I feel I need and it doesn't seem like they are listening to me or even acknowledge me.

How should I go about this?
~ Andy

From what you posted I dont see anything stating she told you no you could not have the extra groups.

from what you posted she told you she wants you to get used to how things are set up now and at your next treatment planning meeting you can make changes.

to me that says yes you can have the groups, you just have to wait until your next treatment planning meeting. theres a certain way to do things when you are in a program and this is how this program works apparently.

around here this kind of thing is typical with programs. the plans are set up so that the client doesnt get over whelmed or set up in a no win situation. they start out small or at the lowest the person can handle then as the client is adjusting more responsibility / classes / groups and expectations are added. sometimes going slower gives the most gain in treatment programs than going at a faster rate adding too much to the clients schedule.

personally I think this person is doing the right thing in expecting those she is helping to move slow and adjust to the routine that is already established before adding more treatment on top of things.

[Perna]

It sounds like you are just wanting the programs, not using them necessarily, as they were meant to be used.

I think you should work with yourself to learn to either distract yourself (if that is what you want) or work to learn how not to ruminate on negative feelings; that will make you much more independent than having something out there (the plan) distracting you and you not getting anything from it beside destraction.

Acting out and making yourself symptomatic won't necessarily get you the program as you would like it; it's not a "thing" it is there to help you and what you do could backfire and they could decide you need changes in your program that you do not want (less freedom, etc.).

As your counselor says, I would work to get use to this schedule, use what you have well, and then, if you still need it, like amandalouise says, you could get what you want when your schedule is reviewed.

[Yoda]

Is it possible that the reason you cannot do Fridays is not because you don't need another day but because their Friday attendance is already maxed out and they cannot add anybody to that day without dropping somebody who already attends Friday?

I was in partial outpatient for awhile and sometimes our census was up and sometimes down. There was a maximum number of clients they could treat each day with their three therapists.

I don't know if that is your situation or something entirely different but just thought I would ask.

Do you see an individual therapist too?

[lad007]

Andy:
Your program counselor has more than you on her caseload right? And if you have been having a lot of meetings, he or she needs to now attend to other clients. In order to get funding programs have to fill out a lot of paperwork, find staffing for the days of the week people attend, teams need to schedule times to meet. So when you are part of a system, you have to follow the way they have things ordered, for good or for bad.
I work as a case manager and there is not enough time in the day for people to change everything around, so that's why we schedule meetings, and leave things as they are until that time. So, look at the whole picture, don't take it as a personal affront that things can't change right now.