[jbug]

I had to do it tonight. I called the on call therapist for my clinic. When I called her she was ready to go into a consult at a nearby hospital and maybe that's why she was so snippy. I always feel bad for having to call them but gosh darn it I'm not doing well now. I was watching Dr.Phil today and something on his show triggered me and I called my T but he was in group and didn't call me back. I am still scared to go into my kitchen because that's where my sharp objects are. So I bit the bullet and called her. I haven't had to call them in about 3 months and was proud of myself but had to do it tonight. I even called my GP's office. I think part of my problems is the new med they put me on for my migranes. I was told don't take it and call them in the morning and talk to the doc. When I talked to my T a different time today he told me to try to get in to see my Pdoc sooner so I did and I'm supposed to see her on Monday. I don't understand why she is nasty sometimes and other times really sweet. I did call back and talk to her again after I took my night meds, took a bath, tried to watch T.V. and did all my coping skills I know of. She was Ok when I called her back. Maybe she was just stressed about having to go into the consult. I don't know but she didn't have to be nasty.

Ok I'm done whining now.

Jbug

[kimmydawn]

((((((((((((((jannie))))))))))))))))))

you're not whining! you did everything you've been told to do and were supposed to do. good on you!

it sounds like it was totally her. i'm sorry it leaked over into the conversation with you.

i hope you feel better. something about that show really got me today, but i think it might've been a different "trigger" here than for you.

know you're being thought about.

KD

One thing I have learned with my many years of therapy and dealing with my main therapists and the on call people - They are not problem free, and sometimes a client in need calls and they are in the middle of their own family crisis, or they are smack dap in the middle of another clients crisis that is all consuming for example one time I called and someone on call had just gotten the news that her childs school bus had been in an accident. her child had called her on her cell phone from the bus. so not only was the woman dealing with taking calls while waiting for her replacement to take over the phones but also dealing with keeping her child calm, allert the appropiate services and keep herself calm and then along comes my call for help. Another time a rape crisis counselor was in an emergency room with a rape victim when my call was directed to her.

What I do is have my personal therapist with an agency. I also choose a back up person and ask that person if they would be available if my therapist isn't for emegencies. if that person says yes my therapist and I keep that person in the loop so to speak basically keeping them up to date. (some agencys require release forms for this to happen). That back up person always works in the same agency that I am in therapy with si that if the person needs my files for some reason she has access with them. How this works for example I had my past therapist as my therapist and XY who ran the depression management group as my back up. In an emergency I would call the office and ask to speak to my therapist - They of course say they have to direct calls to the on call person. Since I already know that in my asking to speak to my therapist I say -

Hi Im so and so I need to speak to my therapist. before you even start I dont have alot of holding on time Call my therapist tell her it is me and ask if she will take the call of if I should call my arranged back up person named so and so who also works for this agency. I will stay on the phone or you can call me back" I was usually told to stay on the line and within a few minutes I was talking with my therapist or my chosen back up person.

I have a new therapist since then and my back up person chosen then no longer works for this agency either so I now have my therapist and as back up my past therapist supervisor who is my therapist supervisor for my case for continuity of care purposes. I haven't had to call either one after hours since they became my therapist and back up. But having that back up plan established ensures there is help for me eith by way of my therapist, the back up or even an on call person if needed. I don't worry about no one being available. the odds of three people within the same agency having personal problems when Im about to go off the richter scale so to speak.

[Azalysa]

Wow, myself, I like that system you've got in place - great thinking and planning!

Janniebug, I'm sorry your T. got snippy with you. I mean she's the one familiar with your issues and is to be a helper and then to get attitude sure doesn't help!

However, I agree with myself that there could be a lot of stuff happening and T's/pdocs are under tremendous pressure. In the case of T's usually with too heavy a load. Doesn't make it right to snap at a client, but it is not you at all, it's one of their issues!

Thank you. It sure came in handy over the years and I know that its there if I ever need someone after hours again.

Its real easy to set up. While sitting in your therapy agency's waiting area watch and listen to the comings and goings and how the therapists interact with each other. just by doing that you can get a feel of how a person is during their sessions. when you find someone you are focusing on each time, Take time to introduce yourself. Some of my back ups I asked them if they could photocopy a paper for me while they are using a copy machine, others I was in their group they ran still others I walked up to them and asked them if they ever took calls as a person on call with the agency, or other how does this agency work type questions. Then after a couple not so accidental talks with the person I let them know that Im not comfortable just talking to anyone after hours and ask if I could write them down as an emergency contact if my therapist is unavailable. Every time they said sure as long as I gave her permission to talk with my therapist about me so that both my therapist and her were on the same treatment programs for me, so that she isn't stearing me wrong in an emegency.

I have actually never met my back up person I have now but I have complete trust in her. Sounds weird I know. "E" was my past therapist supervisor. So she has been a part of my therapy plans right from the intake because she was the one that went through my intake file and assigned me that past therapist. E also without knowing me face to face went up agaist a DHS caseworker on my behalf when that caseworker was harrassing me. Everything that E did or said for me has never steared my past therapist or I wrong. So when changing therapists and back up it was just natural for someone who was a part of my case from the beginning to stay a part of my case now. Not to mention My pst therapist was no longer with the agency and we were working on so many things at once and doing them on a completely different way then a typical therapy plan was done so my present therapist was contantly faced with questions that she could only get help on from the supervisor of my past therapist. So it was only natural for that supervisor to take over and be the supersisor for my therapist on my case. That right there makes me feel special and cared about because that isnt the usual therapy protocal. when a person switches therapist that means the supervisor is also different. I am the only case that this theraist sees E about. all her other cases are supervised by her normal supervisor. E not meeting me face to face has chosen to stay with me, continuing giving her advise and stearing my therapist and so on. So cool. Its like this time my back up is also my guardian angel. I have never met her but she's there doing whats right for and by me.

[jbug]

Wow that is too cool the way you have that set up myself. I wish I could do it that way but at Ozark Guidance Center there is only one person on call. I know who it is every night and was glad that it was Thursday because Nancy does know me pretty good. Last summer when my T went on vacation she was the one I did therapy with. She and my T are friends and are actually sitting next to each other in training today. No I'm not stalking them she told me that last night that she was to save him a seat. She told me she'd tell him I called and what we talked about. I might have a message on my machine when I get home from him, I haven't been home since this morning and will go home tonight after Wheel of Fortune. I feel a bit better today and hope that things won't get that hairy again. I do have to do dishes when I get home and that still has me a bit concerned but if I do them quickly and get what it is back in the drawer I should be ok.

Jbug