Bad news about my therapy!

Yikes! I can imagine how awful this must feel....and the uncertainty just adds to the anxiety of it all.

I reduced my sessions from 2x/week to 1x/week which doesn't sound like a big deal - but at the time, it was to me. I found myself withdrawing from T and feeling SO much more anxious between sessions. It felt like a LONG time. But, after a while, it became easier to deal with.

It might be worthwhile to list out the different options and come up with a strategy for each one....and if the worst case is true, then come up with a plan on gradually stretching the sessions out.....

I'm sorry you're going through this right now. It's tough to have something like this happen that's out of your control.

As an aside, I may be going through something similar soon....because I do not have a full time job...funds are running out....and I found out today that my job may not become full time for quite a while....leaving me possibly needing to plan on selling my house....Therapy may have to be reduced....But I am trying not to freak out about now. I'd rather wait until I know for sure, because it only adds more stress in my life to fret over something I'm unsure of.

I am so sorry. I can relate.

((((peaces)))) I am crossing my fingers and hoping your T gets on your insurance.

Hells no...you don't sound whiny at all. I would be kicking and screaming. I think this would be a nightmare for a lot of us.

I'm glad that your T will reduce your rate, Peaches. Even though you wouldn't get to see her every week, I think you will do okay with fewer sessions. If you need to, you can add the extra session. Your H wouldn't be angry with an occasional extra session per month, would he? Your T may be able to get on your insurance. I hope she can. You'll be all right. I know that you're stronger than you think!

It's usually really easy to become a "preferred provider" with an insurance company....most have said it's just a request that has to be filled out....nothing difficult or anything. They may have to agree to the rate that insurance company will pay them....but that wouldn't be a problem if she's wanting to keep you as a client.

Don't think you have as much to worry about as you think you do IMO. Know it's easy for us to feel that changes are the "end of the world" but when it actually comes down to what happens, it's usually a smooth change & nothing really changes......that is assuming that our health care system doesn't make a major change under our feet......then none of us know how bad it might be.....but until that ever happens.....I wouldn't worry about a simple thing of her filling out the necessary paperwork to become a provider through your existing insurance.

wow peaches, this is hard!! And after all this time.

Someone on this forum used to do an uneven split - could you do something along the same lines, like this:
week 1 session
week 2 session
week 3 miss
week 4 session
week 5 miss
week 6 session
week 7 session
week 8 miss
week 9 session
week 10 miss
etc

like that? it works out to 2 -3 sessions per month, but not quite as hard as twice a month. Just thinking.
Over time you get used to processing at a certain rate, and a change (whether sessions closer together, or farther apart) can be hard to adapt to; but you can do it. You have fuond the right T, and she's worth holding onto. I hope it works out for you

If you haven't gone yet, good luck with your session today, Peaches!

Work to see your T after August 31 and reduce some of your dread? It is over a month away, I would put aside a little extra each week, now, so the amount you have to pay until your insurance kicks in is less then.

Do you have any habits (overeating, buying little things to make yourself feel better, etc.) that you can deliberately cut back on in favor of staying in therapy with T? I use to trade some of the money I spent on buying books, would go to the library for several months and be able to buy a new computer, or something else I wanted. I am overweight; I've cut back on certain foods/goodies when I wanted to save money, etc.

Call your insurance company and get on them about approving her; they are your insurance company, they are supposed to be helping you; that's what you are paying them for!

(((((((((((Peaches))))))))))) if my h told me to decrease how often i went to therapy right now, it would devaste me and i would too be so scared. I bet you have made progress, however you know whats best for you to live healthier. Also there is no time limit on therapy, it depends on the person. Everyone of us is so different and heal differently. It's ok to cling to your t, it makes you safe and right now seeing her less would not be good, trauma is very hard to work through, i really hope your insurance comes through and you can go to t weekly. I too am hoping when my t comes back from holidays next week i can see her more often then 2 times a month, she works at a mental health clinic and is busy. Keeping you in my prayers! Keep posting here this is a very supportive forum!

can you start going every 10 days and transfer to 12 then 14 and if need be get down to 1x a month? You may want to look into a 2nd T once you transfer to 14, and slowly transfer to that T 3x a week.

Peaches how long have you been with her? I would bug her about being as flexable with you as possiable. Is the money that imporant to her? How about phone sessions?
I feel for you.

peaches I really feel for you because I'm in kind of a similar situation. I've been with my T for over 4 years and because I was considered low income, the county paid for my counseling and I was able to see my T once a week. In April I got married and moved to a different town and since my husband put me on his insurance I lost the funding from the county for my counseling. The insurance is really awful because our deductible is so high, so I have to pay out of pocket, $96 a session. With the cost of the sessions and the hour drive to see my T, I've been scheduling appts for every other week. It feels really different since I was used to seeing her every week and was making so much progress. My T had suggested that I consider finding a T closer to where I live but I said no because I don't want to start all over again. But on the other hand, I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to pay for sessions and for the gas to get back and forth.

I think if you really have a good connection with your T and want to continue working with her, let her know that and hopefully she can get on your insurance or reduce her rate for you. If not and you still need therapy, it might be a good idea to start looking for a different T if you're comfortable with that.

Peaches, I know its hard, believe me i know...but have you though of ...worse case scenario...seeing another T as you ween off this T? Just a thought.

Hi Lostin08,

I have been seeing her 12 years. She did offer me a discount for sessions. But it's still more than i can pay for 4 sessions per month. With my insurance, i can see a t every week for only $25 per week ($100 per month). But under my t's new arrangement, even with the discount, it would cost me $75 per week ($300 a month). I just can't do that.

I've never asked her about phone sessions. I wonder if they would be any cheaper though. . .??

Hi Lolacabana,

I hear you. The thought of it strikes fear in my heart! But i guess i should try to sit with the idea at least. . .just as an idea, not something i have to do. . .