[kris9999]

My old T, the one who I loved the most and diagnosed me with everything, lives in Florida, I am in Colorado. I was trying to get in contact with him to receive my medical records for a new T I am hoping to see in the near future (I am very excited and optimistic about her). My old T talked to me for about 30 minutes asking me how I was, what has happened since I saw him last (in 2003) and we talked about a lot of things that happened in our sessions. He was wonderful.

He told me that if the new T and I didn't work out, that he would be willing to have sessions over the phone. He rarely does it but since I am an old patient he would make an exception. However, my insurance will not pay for it and I was told he would be able to try and make a deal with me at a reduced rate.

I am still hoping the new T will be able to help me since she is here but if she is not I have been thinking about taking my old T up on his offer.

Has anyone had experience with this? Having sessions over the phone instead of in person? I'm just not sure if it will work as well as if it were in person. Please if anyone can give me any feedback on this I would greatly appreciate it, I do not want to waste a lot of money if these sessions do not work!

Thanks for your time and I hope all is well!

Kris

[imapatient]

I've been doing it since Jan. Hadn't had a T in 4 years, got very, very bad off. Contacced old T across the country, flew and did 3 in-person sessions, been doing phone sessions since. 1-2 a week. It's working for me. I don't doubt that it would be a bit better in person, but it works. I'd seen him for 2 years when I lived where he is, then did a few phone sessions to transition in my move, a few years later in an urgnecy I had, then no contact for 9 years.

It can work. Depends on chemistry and your needs.

It's been great b/c it's so easy to sched and re-sched if need top cancel by eihter ofus. He's available for a lot of his whole day if he's free--7 days a week; we've done sessions at 11 pm.

[ErinBear]

Dear Kris,

I'm experimenting with counseling over the phone right now. I saw an excellent counselor a few years ago. We had a great working relationship. About 3 1/2 years ago, he moved out of the area. That was tough. Since then, it's been very hard to find a counselor. I've tried seeing a few counselors, but there hasn't been a good match for various reasons. A big part of it is that I'm on a low income and can't pay as much as most counselors here charge. My prior counselor was seeing me through a non-profit organization, and was able to see me at a reduced rate. That's not as easy to find now, within my budget. Other factors play into it, too, but that's a big one!

We ended on very positive terms despite his move, and have been in contact periodically. I've kept him updated on my searches for counseling. I asked recently if there might be some way we could have a meeting in person again, even if I traveled to see him. He offered phone sessions, which we are trying for a few months as an experiment. So far, it's going very well. We had such a positive working relationship in the past that it was a good foundation for us now. We also had a few phone meetings, even when we were working in the past, when I'd had surgery and was too sick to travel. Those went really well. So we had some background in working this way. I was very grateful that he would consider such an offer, as many therapists will not do telephone counseling, and it appears my chances of finding a counselor here are almost nonexistent. He knows me so well that it's almost like picking up right where we ended, which is really a gift to me. It's true that it is somewhat different than meeting in person, yet in this circumstance it's such a huge improvement over having no therapy at all. I'm so glad to be in touch once again, and be able to discuss important issues with somebody I know will understand. It seems to be working out well so far.

Take care,
ErinBear

[Kiya]

I have only really had one phone session - during a hard time - and we spoke for 1.5 hours, bless her. But we too had had a long history together and it was fine.
You do what you need to do!