[jacq10]

Hi everyone,

I realize I've been a little MIA in this forum for a while, but I am in the midst of a huge transition, and this also meant that I had to leave my T... so I found that reading anything on this forum was too triggering... hence my hiatus.

Anyways, I'm living back at home now, having just graduated Uni. That being said, I don't have much of a support system here as I've been gone for 6 years, and currently I don't have any health coverage for therapy since I'm still in the process of finding a job. So I went to my dr to see if she knew any support-like places that were around here that I could go to. There is.. kind of, but they're all peer support, and I don't feel like that would really help me where I'm at right now .. long story..

More importantly, I found this place close to me that provides one-on-one counselling on a sliding scale based on individual need. I've been in contact with someone from there, and they gave me a good price range.... BUT I feel guilty going

I've always struggled with depression and anxiety, and having a T really helped, but I don't know if it was just that I had such a great T and we had such a great relationship, and THAT's what helped... or if it was just the having someone to talk to. If it was the latter, than maybe seeing someone would be a good idea.

That being said, what am I suppose to say if I go? " Hi, I've been depressed for a while, I pretty much know why I am, I don't want to do any CBT or DBT or *insert therapy route* I just need someone to talk to." ?????

I can't very well go in and say that I just need support, and that I don't have any "presenting, immediate concerns" just chronic ones? I guess what it comes down to, is me using the system (instead of someone else) who would probably benefit more from seeing a T. I can function on my own, I have been for a while now..... I just know that when I have a T, things seem to go better.

Where is the line that crosses the boundary of having a necessity to see a T because of pervasive "non-disruptive" concerns, vs. more immediate and detrimental concerns? I don't want to take away from the latter...

I'm sorry this was so long... I appreciate any responses very much!

Thanks,
Jacqueline

[WePow]

((((((((( Jacqueline )))))))

Just this week I was finding out for myself the difference between wanting to contact my T and NEEDING to contact T. As you can see from my post, this lesson has been very difficult.

Reading your words, I sense that you know you have a true NEED to get help from a T. I sense that you may have punished yourself internally for any need you had... kinda like what I do with being upset inside because I can't fix my own stuff. IDK. Maybe I am projecting too much. But I say that you should go with what you feel inside your soul. You do know the difference in a want and a need. If you need to see T, please do it.

[ECHOES]

Support between T's is a good thing to want

[Melbadaze]

yes, I echoe, echoes...if thats not to much echoing!

[FooZe]

Hi Jacq, welcome back!

Originally Posted by jacq10

I can't very well go in and say that I just need support, and that I don't have any "presenting, immediate concerns" just chronic ones?

Why not? As I remember it, Marsha Linehan observed that many of her and her colleagues' patients were constantly bouncing from one immediate concern to the next, so much so that neither they nor their therapists ever had much time to engage in actual therapy. She developed DBT to help patients deal more gracefully with their immediate concerns so that they would be more available for therapy. It sounds to me as though, without that many immediate concerns to distract you, you're already ahead of the game.

I guess what it comes down to, is me using the system (instead of someone else) who would probably benefit more from seeing a T. I can function on my own, I have been for a while now..... I just know that when I have a T, things seem to go better.

I have an idea -- why don't you start by telling your prospective T exactly that, and let him or her decide what to ask you next?

-------------------------
My advice is free -- and worth every penny.

Depression is such a good reason to seek therapy. Too many times I made the mistake of thinking that being able to function meant I was OK and didn't need any more help. Whatever the reason you found therapy helpful in the past, if it helps you feel better, go for it

[Perna]

If I just wanted someone to talk to, I would do the peer route, it's less likely to get complicated or be misunderstood and get in the way when I wanted to move on.

But any reason you have for seeing a T is a valid reason, it's yours and you're the one hiring. . .

[jacq10]

Thanks for the responses all...

Maybe I just don't know how to be "T-less" since I've had one for the large majority of the past 6 years I wish I still had my T

[sittingatwatersedge]

Originally Posted by jacq10

what am I suppose to say if I go? " Hi, I've been depressed for a while, I pretty much know why I am, ...... I just need someone to talk to."

Yes. And why not?! Perfectly valid IMHO.

And as for knowing already that you don't want CBT DBT etc, no issue there either is there? I believe it's quite usual, if not downright recommended, for the client to find out a T's "orientation" before starting; nothing wrong with that either.

I hope you are able to look around a bit and find a good match. Jacq, depression is nothing to feel guilty about or discount ...
[she said, quelling her own feelings of guilt and tendency to discount her own depressoin... ]