[googley]

I am going in to see a new T tomorrow and I'm really nervous. I just moved and the adjustment is crazy. Until I figure out if I can afford it I will only have email on campus and hence be spotty in my responses. It is my first time living in my own apartment. I miss all my friends and my T from home. It has been so long since I went through this process I don't know what to expect any more. I do know that money will be a big issue until I find a job (don't suggest looking on campus, I'm not eligible). I just feel out of sorts and don't know exactly what to do with myself besides clean my apartment and look for jobs. I want to go see my old T. I don't want to have to deal with all the stress of finding a new one. Bah! Especially since I don't know if the money will work out with this one. I don't want to have to go tell someone about my life to just then find out I can't even afford to do it.

((((((((((((((((((((((((googley))))))))))))))))))))))))))

I wonder if you can start out with the the new T just getting support for the transition you're going through...and worry about the deeper stuff later, once you have the money figured out? It seems like it would be really nice to have some extra support right now just with what's going on NOW - a new city, living on your own for the first time, missing your old T....

How did you and old T leave things? Are you able to exchange an e-mail with her or anything?

Lots of to you. All of these big changes are hard

[googley]

Tree,
I think what is bothering me most with the idea of this new T is in some way it seems like giving up my old T. And I don't want to have to go through all the background stuff that usually comes up with a first appointment. As to my old T we left it open for me to call her if/when I needed it. I don't want to seem too dependent as I saw her a week ago. I just haven't figured out this balance thing yet. Hopefully it will come eventually. Thanks for the advice.

It's hard to find the balance at first

I'm wondering if there is a way to reframe the new T visit so it will feel less like a "replacement" for old T, and more like...an addition, maybe? Like she's here to help you on this new part of your journey, but old T is still there too...

I'm guessing that this is when you might need to contact old T the most. Maybe a few weeks down the road you won't need to in the same way, and the balance will find you.

[hangingon]

Originally Posted by googley

I am going in to see a new T tomorrow and I'm really nervous. I just moved and the adjustment is crazy. Until I figure out if I can afford it I will only have email on campus and hence be spotty in my responses. It is my first time living in my own apartment. I miss all my friends and my T from home. It has been so long since I went through this process I don't know what to expect any more. I do know that money will be a big issue until I find a job (don't suggest looking on campus, I'm not eligible). I just feel out of sorts and don't know exactly what to do with myself besides clean my apartment and look for jobs. I want to go see my old T. I don't want to have to deal with all the stress of finding a new one. Bah! Especially since I don't know if the money will work out with this one. I don't want to have to go tell someone about my life to just then find out I can't even afford to do it.

Googly, can you not see a school counselor, I think all colleges have them and they are free???
I'm sorry you are struggling so bad, change can be really difficult until you begin to adjust. This may turn out to be a great thing for you !!!

[BlueMoon6]

((((Googley)))))
You have so many changes going on at once. And I agree with Tree- maybe to re-frame in your mind who this new t is. An additional t?

Silly question: Do you have health insurance that can help pay for the t? Does she/he have any rates for students? Sliding scale (with a rock bottom slide to what you can afford)? You can try to make it very clear that you need someone for support and whatever issues you have and how limited your resources are. Most t's are pretty sympathetic to that.

Adjustments are so difficult,even traumatic. But once some time has gone by and you are used to things and even find a job you will be able to exhale again .

Keep posting to let us know how things are coming along

Hey Googley.

We are in the same boat. I am trying to start with a new T too and it is hard. What I am thinking about doing is asking new T to "go slow" instead of pushing to get through the "facts."

I have my appointment next week.

The other thing. Call your old T...it will be ok.

Best of luck.

[googley]

Thank you everyone,
((((Hugs for all)))))
I can't see the people on campus because I will be in the psychology program and then possibly run into fellow students. The school health insurance doesn't cover mental health therapy or medications. So it is all out of pocket.
I'm not sure about this T sliding scale because at first she said that she didn't really have one but I should come in and see and she might refer me to someone else. But when she called back to schedule an exact time she talked about scheduling for the fall, I don't know.

I think the idea of an addition instead of a replacement is really good. I will try to think of it as that.

I also need to start trying to find a pdoc, but i might have misplaced the list my old pdoc gave me.

Tollhouse, good luck with your appointment next week.