Frequency of T appointments

I am curious. When I was in college and did some therapy. We met on a weekly basis. Now I have returned to therapy. How frequently do you go to therapy and is it long-term for you? I am assuming that mine is short-term because I always seem to hit the "minor disorders" (dysthymic disorder-college days, adjustment disorder-current). I am getting the impression from a few friends that they just see a psychiatrist for drug maintenance and rarely see a therapist. Is that the case for some disorders/individuals? I guess that is enough questions for now. I am studying addiction counseling and so I am interested in this for that reason too.

I actually quit seeing a psychiatrist for meds shortly after I began talk therapy. With the meds, I was being prescribed more with new introduced, and never felt alot better. They did help to control the panic, though, which was a must at the time. After some biofeedback and beginning talk therapy, I went off meds cold turkey with little effects and continued in therapy to this day.

I go once per week. I was taking a couple of medications considered addictive and did for over two years. However, I never abused them and simply went off when the time came. I feel that if you take meds as they're prescribed, for what they're prescribed, a person won't become addicted. However, I also feel there's a huge difference between addiction and physical dependence; between use and abuse. By all rights I should have had withdrawal from physical dependence, but I didn't. I did lose alot of the weight gained, but that was it. It was simply time for me to do this, I feel.

I used the meds as they were needed and went off when therapy helped.

I have to add that I didn't/don't have a dx for which meds are required long term, or needed for continual use in easing symptoms.

I hope that helps a bit?

Good luck with you!

KD

I think once a week for a T is pretty normal, with pdoc or mdoc appointments PRN for meds. I had one very busy T and I would kind of fluctuate with regard to frequency--more in fall and winter, less in spring and summer. It all depends on your condition--if you're really sick, they're going to keep you on a shorter leash if they can. You just have to figure out what is right for you both--it is a relationship, yes?

DJ

I see a state board licensed therapist who works with Dissociative Identity Disorder (which is what I have). I see her twice a month unless I am suicidal at which time I see her once a week. She has given me a standing option of seeing her once a month.

She does not prescribe my medications when I need them (at this time I do not need them and have been off medication now for almost 2 years)

My family physician is in charge of my medication needs and I see him for med checks once every 6 months.

I see a therapist every week and a psychiatrist once a month for my meds. My therapy is long term and I expect it will remain so. I will need to continue to take meds for the rest of my life.

I think once a week is pretty standard for therapy sessions. Some therapists will taper it off to twice a month and then once a month to transition out of therapy. On the other hand, I've never seen this as some kind of magic formula...as if God handed down some stone tablets that said, "Thou shalt see clients once a week for 45-55 minutes at a time."

Some people are just fine with once or twice a month, and some people need many sessions a week.

I see my t twice a week right now. It used to be once weekly, but since I have been hospitalized 3 times since July, she is seeing me more often to try to keep me out of there. Needless to say, I have some dependence issues! I used to see her once weekly, which I think seems standard.
I see my pdoc once a month right now, as we are still adjusting meds. He may just try to take me off all meds, since my main disorders are primarily helped by therapy, but we are trying to keep me stable.
I think you need to go as often as you need to go, which may vary over time. I'm not sure I will ever be able to be completely out of therapy, but I guess time will tell. As you can see from the responses, it is a very individual thing.
Good luck and HUGS!

I was seeing my T once every two weeks, not sure now that I have to find a new one o.O

I see mine twice a week for 2 hours at a time.

(uless she is on holiday )

I see mine once a week for 50 minutes.

But I wish I could live in his office.

Twinks

I see mine 2x a week....and it doesn't seem like enough

I have PTSD, which has led to depression and anxiety.

My case is not typical - I went from fine to completely paralyzed almost overnight due to a traumatic event (it was actually a build-up of stuff over 9 months and ended with one very traumatic experience - going to court).

I too wish I could live in my therapist's office...

Can I say I too wish the same.

Its awful isnt it?

Atg

I started with seeing my t once every week then after a year or something it went to 2 times a week for years then do to cash I went to less then once a month but he wishes to see me more

In my area the normal frequency is either once a month or biweekly for about 45-55 minutes at a time. If you're not doing well you can see your T for about the same duration once a week.

Right now I'm in partial hospitalization twice a week. So I really don't see just one T. I have 3 which is pretty convenient.

I started seeing my therapist once a week. After about a year and a half, we increased to twice a week in order to work at a deeper level. I've recently had to return to just once a week due to circumstances beyond my control. I'm not liking it, because I feel like there's not enough time to talk about everything I want to.

I see my psychiatrist about every three months, occasionally more often if I'm not doing that great.

gg

I don't fit the "norm" at all. . . enough so I won't post it here.

I see my T once a week for 30 minutes. I see my Pdoc for 15 minutes once a month. I expect soon that I will go to every 2 months soon since I'm doing well on my meds.

Jbug