[mcl6136]

All,

Yesterday I investigated a new therapist. As some of you know I have been...er, around. I tried a very old-school (old, cold distant) therapist and then a newfangled "life coach."

The former was wounding for me and ultimately destructive; the latter helped me clean up my garage.

I feel like Goldy Locks.

And now for something completely different.

An art therapist. A therapist who uses art to help you access stuck places and heal.

I went to the first introductory (free!) session thinking OMG this sounds ridiculous. But I was impressed at the "intake" appointment and the forms that I filled out (very different and much more in depth than any previous T).

Most of all, I really LOVED HER ENERGY!

She seemed to really gravitate towards what my issues are...immediately, in a kind supportive but direct way. She does a 90 minute session in which you actually make objects of art while dealing with your issues...and it reminded me of the life-saving (literally) therapist who helped me when I was in my 20s, a Jungian therapist who was remarkable and used creation sand box, puppet making, etc) as part of the therapy. This T seems to have the same open compassionate style and humor.

The catch?

No insurance coverage.

She doesn't have her LCPC yet. She has her degree and says that she will be getting it soon. She has a lot of information on her web site and it all looks above-board and straightforward.

I'm in a state of "what now?" She works on a sliding scale in terms of fees, but this would still be a significant outlay of money, going four times a month for, the very least $90 dollars a pop.

I just don't know what direction to take here. The conventional style of analytical T...which predominates in my region, just makes me want to hurl at this point in my life. I think that if I do not pursue something different, then I won't be going back into therapy for the near or even mid-term.

Sorry for the uberlong post here but I just had to send this out to magnetic heaven and get it out of my head.

Does this sound zany? excellent? A bit of both?

[struggling2]

sounds awesome! and like you found someone/something you're excited about and that can help you! good for you! therapy can be EXPENSIVE. ive been paying out of pocket full fees of $100 for months and its insane....but when i think about where id be mentally and where my marriage would be if i didnt do it.....well i have to make a priority and figure out how to make it happen because its that important. good luck to you! i say go for it!

[SeaBreeze]

I agree. Just from the tone of your post you sound so excited about the art therapy, especially how you connected with her! That good connection with the therapist is so crucial. It definitely sounds like its worth a try. I say go for it too!!!

[rainbow8]

I also say go for it! My T is not an art T but uses art in therapy when appropriate! I've loved when I fingerpainted, made a collage, used markers, and made my birthday card with her. She even says I can waterpaint in the session.

I say go for it, follow your gut instinct She sounds fresh fun and exciting; exactly what most traditional T's aren't! Let your creative side go wild
As for the finances, like struggling said of you can afford it you can't put a price on your mental health. I have paid out thousands this year on therapy out of pocket but it actually saved my life, so I can't complain

[Eliza Jane]

I agree with the above. You can't put a price on mental health. If there is a way to afford it, you should do it.

However, if seeing this T would mean not being able to put food on your table, then you can't do it. If this is the case, I would explain the situation to art T tell her you'd love to work with her, but cannot afford her, but does she have any colleagues that work in a similar way that would be covered by insurance? Of course, it's not the same, but it would certainly be better than nothing, right?

I really do hope it works out for you with her, though.

Best,
EJ

Why not both ? How about art 2 times a month and let the search continue. Your gut will tell you when its time to choose. Try a PsyD or any other combo of letters you can come up with. I went polar opposite from that wretched LCSW woman I saw at first- younger male PsyD and Im diggin it. Although Art therapy sounds pretty cool too. All I'm saying is why do you have to put all your eggs in one basket from the word go, get your feet wet with the Art therapy while you still search the shoreline (via insurance) for a more traditional (yet not old school ) T. Who says you cant have 2 T's? LOL

[Butterflies Are Free]

Art therapy is great - I would do it if you can, esp. if you like the T!

[CantExplain]

Originally Posted by mcl6136

...magnetic heaven...

Excellent phrase!

[KazzaX]

Give it a crack! It sounds great to me (the art therapy). And I love people like you described the art T to be - huuuge energy people. It's like their energy is contageous and it lifts you right up! You can always stop if you don't like it, but it sounds like a cool thing to try.

[mcl6136]

I am jumpin in...thank u everyone for your thoughtful replies...the journey continues. I will keep you posted....mcl

[rainbow_rose]

I'd love to do art therapy. If my therapist weren't so perfect for me for what I need now in my life, I'd have gone that route. please do keep us posted!

[Perna]

As I recall; you sort of felt this way about the coach? Liking someone's energy is good, probably helpful but I don't know that a young art therapist with a newly-minted degree is going to have enough experience to hold you? Yes, she'll probably have great projects for you to work on and the projects might trigger your self-analysis/discussion of your problems, but then what? Is she going to be able to help you "use" what comes up? It sounds like she may only have 2/3rds of the package so far, could use another 5-10 years experience as a therapist?

But other than the novel, I don't know exactly what you are looking for. Since she does not have insurance, I'd maybe dedicate $1000 toward checking her out? I'd put a cap on what I was going to pay before I jumped in and keep that amount/money out there in front of me so I did not necessarily get sucked in by her energy/enthusiasm and lose sight of all else?

[ListenMoreTalkLess]

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors don't get a lot of training-- a year, in the states I'm aware of. I assume, like Perna, that she has recently graduated and already has or soon will take the licensing exam. The relative lack of training and experience wouldn't be a complete deal breaker for me, as I believe that some T's are probably better on their first days as others are upon retirement. But then again, a MSW is a two year degree premised upon an undergraduate degree (I don't know if the LCPC folks have to have any specific undergraduate training, or college level training at all). So maybe there's not a huge difference in training between the LCPC and the MSW, and I've had my best experience with a MSW.

I do think there is something in the art and other creative methods of therapy. I think it can get you out of your head and into your body and a different way of looking into your mind and heart. I know this would be valuable for me, but I probably wouldn't do it as my bread and butter T, because talking therapy works for me.

I would tread cautiously, however, because you have negative experiences with prior T's and because you have a trauma history. Inexperienced T's may not be fully equipped to deal.

[mcl6136]

Originally Posted by ListenMoreTalkLess

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors don't get a lot of training-- a year, in the states I'm aware of. I assume, like Perna, that she has recently graduated and already has or soon will take the licensing exam. The relative lack of training and experience wouldn't be a complete deal breaker for me, as I believe that some T's are probably better on their first days as others are upon retirement. But then again, a MSW is a two year degree premised upon an undergraduate degree (I don't know if the LCPC folks have to have any specific undergraduate training, or college level training at all). So maybe there's not a huge difference in training between the LCPC and the MSW, and I've had my best experience with a MSW.

I do think there is something in the art and other creative methods of therapy. I think it can get you out of your head and into your body and a different way of looking into your mind and heart. I know this would be valuable for me, but I probably wouldn't do it as my bread and butter T, because talking therapy works for me.

I would tread cautiously, however, because you have negative experiences with prior T's and because you have a trauma history. Inexperienced T's may not be fully equipped to deal.

Just to clarify, I have had negative experiences with SOME prior Ts.

[ListenMoreTalkLess]

Originally Posted by mcl6136

Just to clarify, I have had negative experiences with SOME prior Ts.

Sorry, I knew that and intended my post to reflect that. Apologies that I was not completely clear.

[mcl6136]

Originally Posted by ListenMoreTalkLess

Sorry, I knew that and intended my post to reflect that. Apologies that I was not completely clear.

thanks...

This actually sounds pretty cool. It might even be fun - at least sorta. And even if the therapy part turns out to be less than great, you'll have some handmade artwork to show for it, so it wouldn't be a complete waste of money!

[Wren_]

it sounds interesting and hopefully it will be just the thing you need; is the life coach totally out of the picture now or are you still working with them as well?

[stopdog]

Good luck with this one. Could you go less than weekly to start off? Sort of ease into it by going every other week until you know it is worth the money?

[mcl6136]

Originally Posted by stopdog

Good luck with this one. Could you go less than weekly to start off? Sort of ease into it by going every other week until you know it is worth the money?

That's what I'm going to propose I think.

In the meantime since this appointment, I had a major family of origin meltdown, involving both of my siblings and my mother...all people whom I love but are in various stages of emotional illiteracy...crazy, crazy acting out!

It made me think that I may need a much more experienced kind of T...the whole thing scared me and I have not taken another step on the therapy.

I'm sort of paralyzed!