extra session advice please

Hey guys I am new here and I need some advice. I've been treated for PTSD for about two years now, but just started therapy like a month ago. I am going through a really hard time right now. I feel like I am falling apart, but I'm afraid to ask for more help. Is it ok to ask for extra sessions? I am afraid of being a burden or just plain annoying. Esp since I am a new client. He already gave me the ok, to email away between sessions when I need to vent/triggered/crisis, or just updates, but even when I do that I feel really guilty. I don't know what to do??

hi i been in therapy for a year for major depression borderline personality gad and ptsd it was very hard for me in the begining it still is i have had to call crisis several times, i go to my local community mental health clinic which is wonderful i have a great t, i asked for 2 x a week sessions but it was not thier policy i guess if you go to a private one they do that i am not sure, i also feel like a burden even telling her my problems thats just me, ask her good luck keep me posted

It is always OK to ask for an extra session.

My T has given me an extra session whenever I request it. I've asked for one about 6 or 7 times this past year. It doesn't hurt to ask. And she has never ever given me the impression that I'm annoying her. Remember, T's are in the healing profession and I'm sure the more often they're able to see their clients, the more effective they may feel.

It should be just fine to see if the t has an extra appointment time available to fit with your schedule. You are not imposing upon them, they get paid.

If your T said it's OK to email etc between sessions, then it's OK. They don't all do email - my T doesn't - so don't feel guilty.

And if you need more sessions, ask. He'll tell you if he can do that or not. Don't feel like you're pressuring him if you ask ... T's seem to have no problem saying no.

Extra session can be very helpful, or not. It really depends I think. You should never ever feel guilty for wanting, or asking for one - ever.

Your therapist may suggest a phone session, or simply want to discuss with you over the phone what is going on.

Whatever the case, I would definitely make the call and reach for help. It can stop a spiral, or at least give hope that things are going to get better.

Extra session can really be good so your therapist can see what a crisis looks like for you, and what may trigger or compound one.

Again, definitely make the call.

Personally, I think (and have asked for) emergency sessions when needed! They are comforting and stabalizing in most situations . . . that said, I don't believe that NUMEROUS emergency sessions are helpful or therapeutic. Why do I say that? <Major GRIN> I've asked for numerous emergency sessions in my way way past and in my most recent past. Why would I ask for the crisis or emergency session? Because I was needy, lonely, abandoned, unsafe, in crisis, out of crisis but about to go into crisis, coming out of a crisis but about to go into one, coming out of a crisis but about to find a new crisis and just plain sad .. . and truly just plain crazy and out of touch with anyone who truly cared about me . ... wow,let's just be honest and say that what I've just described is most people. They might describe themselves as safe and content. . .. they might say that they have no questions or concerns about life, but most of us know better. ALL OF US question how things are going to go. ALL of us believe that we can do better . ... and all of us believe that our family knows love and believe in us. That's all that matters!

I found that emergency sessions only gave me a few hours of comfort and didn't stabilise me at all. But that's just me.

I think you should ask - T's are professional and know what they are doing (hopefully ) - the fact that you feel you need to have an extra session would maybe be something to explore in itself with your T and at the very least will let your T know how you are doing in between sessions.

Let us know how it goes - Soup

With my T, I schedule my sessions whenever I want them, no questions asked, and I don't have to "ask" for extra sessions. I like it that way. Most weeks I see him just once, but when I'm feeling the need, I go more often. When I'm in real crisis, he actually asks me to come in several times a week. Ask your T about how this works with him. He'll let you know.

Your T must have a lot of empty slots!

I think some leave spots just for this purpose. The ones I see have never had any difficulty with rearranging or adding appointments.

I think it varies day to day, week to week. Generally I can get a second appointment in later in the week at some point, but not always. I am very limited on what times I can actually get there, so I usually schedule several weeks ahead. If I don't, I'm out of luck. Also, if I let the secretary know I'm wanting to get in, she'll schedule me if there is an opening and call me to let me know.

Thanks for all the advice guys. I ended up being able to stablize myself out today, so I didn't ask for an extra session. I will make sure to bring it up in our next session though, that way in the future I know what to do if things get that bad again.