[geez]

Went for an orientation at a local psych hospital for outpatient treatment.
Felt like it was a little disorganized and the other people there (hope no one is offended by what I'm about to write) were court ordered via DCF, Court ordered drug/rehab. Not sure I 'fit in'.

My insurance is unlimited for T visits and there's not limit for outpatient/inpatient care.

I was thinking? What if I just went to see T 3x a week? It would cost me a $40 copay per visit but if the quality is better?? I also called the LPC in charge of the outpatient treatment to gage where my treatment fits in with the others in the group. I have an intake schedule for Tuesday at 3pm at this hospital so I want to do more digging of info. I also called another hospital to get info on their program as I'm not sure if this program is for me.

Any thoughts or experiences you can share?

Hi Geez,
I am afraid I don't have experience with this but if your T visits are unlimited and you can afford to co pay the $40 per visit I think you should. If you feel like you don't fit in but I would give it a few more visits first but that is just me.
Also you are in a bad place right now and I think you need some one to one and maybe a group won't provide you with the attention you need right now.

[rainbow8]

I don't have experience with outpatient programs but I have a question. Would your T agree to seeing you more often rather than going into a program or is the treatment in the program something that she doesn't have the skills to offer you? I thought in the other thread you said that T told you that you need more than she can give you. Or did I read that wrong?

[sunrise]

Is the outpatient treatment at the hospital individual therapy? If it is not, and you will be doing group therapy at the hospital, that is one big difference from seeing your T individually. Do you need individual treatment? Can the hospital provide that? These are important questions. Glad you are looking into all your options. If you want group therapy, but you don't fit into the hospital program, you could probably find a group in your community. Perhaps your T could give you some leads. Then you could do individual treatment with your T and group too, but not have to go to the hospital.

[Wren_]

((((geez)))) i was wondering along the lines rainbow was; i thought your t was encouraging this outpatient thing ... i can understand your hesitation though ... can you talk to her about it?

[ShaggyChic_1201]

would the hospital thing have group therapy that might help you in a different way than just one on one with T? Just a thought.

[geez]

Originally Posted by rainbow8

I don't have experience with outpatient programs but I have a question. Would your T agree to seeing you more often rather than going into a program or is the treatment in the program something that she doesn't have the skills to offer you? I thought in the other thread you said that T told you that you need more than she can give you. Or did I read that wrong?

My T said she would agree to seeing me more often as an option if I chose not to do outpatient. I have an appt with t on Tuesday morning and I have an appt for an intake on Tuesday in the afternoon at the Psych hospital (going to ask more questions about the 'program' at the hospital before I make any decisions about 'enrolling').

My T did say that I need more treatment than she can give meaning more than the one appointment per week. I contacted my insurance and they said I have no limits on appts per week. I then contacted my T and told her how the 'orientation' went. I also asked her since there is no limit to number of visits would she entertain seeing me more than 1x a week instead of me doing an outpatient at the local hospital. She said she would like to discuss that at our next appt. As a side note she is a clinical psychologist and used to work in a psych ward of a hospital before she went into business as an independent therapist.

[geez]

Originally Posted by sunrise

Is the outpatient treatment at the hospital individual therapy? If it is not, and you will be doing group therapy at the hospital, that is one big difference from seeing your T individually. Do you need individual treatment? Can the hospital provide that? These are important questions. Glad you are looking into all your options. If you want group therapy, but you don't fit into the hospital program, you could probably find a group in your community. Perhaps your T could give you some leads. Then you could do individual treatment with your T and group too, but not have to go to the hospital.

The outpatient treatment at the hospital has two step program.

Step 1 is M - F 8:30am 1:20pm with 4 group therapy sessions every day.

Step 2 is M - F 8:30am to 11:20am with 3 group therapy sessions every day.

Other than perhaps a meds consult and the initial intake there isn't any individual counseling and I don't see myself being grouped in with people recovering from drugs or alcohol. I need to make sure I'm not in the group of addicts... nothing personal just not want I need treatment for. I don't need 12 steps.

As for group therapy in the community I am thinking about looking into that. I most recently was a part of a group therapy that has since ended but will be starting up again in January. I think I posted about this before. It is something I enjoy.

[geez]

Originally Posted by bubsmiley

would the hospital thing have group therapy that might help you in a different way than just one on one with T? Just a thought.

THAT IS MY BIG Question! Is there something to be gained in group therapy vs. individual therapy? I've been in therapy for on and off for 4 years and based on what I already know from reading self help books and individual therapy I'm not sure group therapy would help me?


PS - Thank you all so much for all your input (((Big Giant Hugs for Everyone)))

Why not just try it.... you can always bail at any time. You already know what individual therapy has to offer, why not just check out the group deal? You have nothing to lose...right?

[sunrise]

Geez, how many weeks would you do Step 1 and how many days Step 2? It sounds like a lot of time spent at the hospital and perhaps would be helpful if you need something intensive and can afford to take the time off from work, school, or whatever you would miss. A lot of times the groups at hospitals are skills-based, so this might be something quite different from your individual therapy (depending on what it is like). If you can get with people at the hospital who are not doing a recovery program and who aren't court ordered, maybe it would be helpful. I help run groups at a hospital, and we have an intensive outpatient program. What I don't like about our program is that the outpatient people come into the hospital and do groups together with the inpatients. This isn't always a good mix, as the inpatient population is more acute, there is more acting out and violence, etc. So I think an important question to ask the hospital would be if you will be with inpatients for the group.

Even if you can see your individual T more than once a week, it might not provide the same benefit as seeing a different person or being in a group. You already know what you can get from your T. Would getting 2 hours of this a week instead of 1 really change things much? I think it can be helpful to get a different perspective and approach from a different provider. You might learn things you would never learn from your T. The good thing is that you wouldn't have to quit individual therapy but could stay with your T through this.

Good luck.

[tasche13]

Also I have to add from experience that unlimited visits doesn't always mean what we think it means. Usually insurance companies when a patient needs more than one provider visit a week they want to kick the patient up to the next level of care. At least that has been my experience and thats the guidelines set by the Mental Health IPA my HMO uses even though I have "unlimited" visits. I also think T's are reluctant to do multiple visits per week because that limits the patient load they can carry. It's hard enough for me to get in weekly sometimes.

[geez]

Originally Posted by sunrise

Geez, how many weeks would you do Step 1 and how many days Step 2? It sounds like a lot of time spent at the hospital and perhaps would be helpful if you need something intensive and can afford to take the time off from work, school, or whatever you would miss. A lot of times the groups at hospitals are skills-based, so this might be something quite different from your individual therapy (depending on what it is like). If you can get with people at the hospital who are not doing a recovery program and who aren't court ordered, maybe it would be helpful. I help run groups at a hospital, and we have an intensive outpatient program. What I don't like about our program is that the outpatient people come into the hospital and do groups together with the inpatients. This isn't always a good mix, as the inpatient population is more acute, there is more acting out and violence, etc. So I think an important question to ask the hospital would be if you will be with inpatients for the group.

Even if you can see your individual T more than once a week, it might not provide the same benefit as seeing a different person or being in a group. You already know what you can get from your T. Would getting 2 hours of this a week instead of 1 really change things much? I think it can be helpful to get a different perspective and approach from a different provider. You might learn things you would never learn from your T. The good thing is that you wouldn't have to quit individual therapy but could stay with your T through this.

Good luck.

Step 1 lasts for 1 - 2 weeks and step 2 can last for 2 - 4 weeks. Typically
people are in the program for 4 weeks.

Outpatient isn't mixed in with Inpatient.

It was suggested I do outpatient as an alternative to inpatient. As for commitment in my life I've withdrawn from college and I've dropped my goal to run the Philadelphia marathon All I have is time on my hands now.

I would more than likely be seeing my T 3x a week but I would want to have skill based things discussed and I would want to do lots of homework between sessions. Something that may or may not workout. My T is willing to work with me I just have to decide if it's the best option for me. I have to meet with T so we can talk about the particulars.

As for seeing t while I'm in outpatient that can not happen as my insurance will cover one or the other but not both at the same time.

[geez]

Well since my posting I've been to one hospital 'orientation' and it's not going to work out for me there as it's not my kind of crowd - most of the people there are court ordered etc...

I did however get an appt at a very highly rated psych hospital for next week. I will be possibly going to there day treatment program for 'professionals' aka non court ordered people program. Based on my evaluation with there program next week I will then decide what to do. My T said to not compare my time with her and any of the outpatient programs as they are not the same.

Keep you posted as to what I find out.

[Victoria'smom]

What about possibly doing both? Group and individual will give you different things. individually you can talk about things that you are uncomfortable talking about in group but group will give you a wide variety of opinions and maybe some better coping skills. Using them as a combo could help you get back on your feet faster.

[geez]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

What about possibly doing both? Group and individual will give you different things. individually you can talk about things that you are uncomfortable talking about in group but group will give you a wide variety of opinions and maybe some better coping skills. Using them as a combo could help you get back on your feet faster.

Unfortunately my insurance will only cover one type of treatment at a time. So insurance will cover T or hospital program but not both at the same time. Once I am done with the treatment program I will be able to go back to seeing T every week. I also talked to my T and she said I can do phone check ins with her to let her know how I'm doing while in the program if I wish.

So happy I have a good T!

[WikidPissah]

Hey Geez...

So sorry you're going thru this...ick. It's so hard. I just want to tell you that I did this woman's treatment program last summer. It was outpatient, but it had a "residential" option which I took. (it was a 2 hr drive each way) It benefited me SO VERY MUCH. Being around women in a trauma based program was incredible. I never thought group would suit me, but it did and I learned a lot. It doesn't compare to t at all, as you have support for several hours (I actually had it 24/7). The health care workers were incredible.

[geez]

Update: I went to my second hospital program to check it out and I really think I'm going to like it (I must say it was frustrating in figuring where I had to go and I slept for 1 1/2 hours when I got home after I took care of some things for my boys... so exhausted!

At this hospital it's a professionals program so I'm not mixed in with the court ordered population. I also really liked the therapist I met with for an hour who runs the program. I will be grouped with other people fighting through depression and anxiety. On the down side it's a 45 minute drive from my home - however it's a highly rated program. The outpatient program for the first two weeks is: M, Tues, Thurs, Fri 9 - 2pm. Then it meets M, W, F 9 - 2 for four weeks. I start this Friday. I always wanted to go to camp - LOL! - hope I'm still laughing when I start the program!

[rainbow8]

geez, that sounds excellent! Keep us posted on how it goes.

[sunrise]

The program sounds really good, geez. I hope you find it helpful. I like how they group together the people working on anxiety and depression. It does sounds very tiring. Maybe you can get a good relaxation CD for the trip home each day. Good luck!

[WikidPissah]

sounds rough Geez...but so cool you are doing it. I think you'll find it benefits you in the end. Good Luck!

[Sannah]

I'm happy for you!

I done outpatient treatment. To be honest from hindsight, I could have skipped it and gone straight to therapy. As I was coming of drink the holding enviroment was beneficial. But therapeutic value was zero.

[geez]

We'll I saw my T for the last time time for at least the next 6 weeks. I typically would see my T on Friday mornings as well because we take the same spin class but because of my treatment starting tomorrow that's not possible for a while. I'm going to miss spin! My T said this would be our last time meeting and after my treatment program ends it's not expected that I would continue seeing her again. I then asked her: "are you saying that because you don't want me to come back and see you again?" T: "no I'm stating that it's not expected that you should return but that it's up to you what is best and she is fine with whatever decisions I make". Me: "Do you think you can help me?" T:"yes but we need to work out a plan. We started out with one but we got off track as you slowly fell into a depression". I told my T that I plan on coming back to her and that I'm going to miss her. She said that I can keep in touch with her with updates if I like. I gave her a hug and she hugged me back While I'm going to really miss T I'm looking forward to the program I'm going to. It's a program that is well known, respected, and has a waiting list.

My 'intensive outpatient professionals program' starts tomorrow. Wish me luck! - hope to get rid of: anxiety, depression, SI, and no sleep. I hope to get my memory back as well and thinking becomes less difficult. My head hurts when I try to think to much and when it comes to feelings I just want to cry. Depression SUCKS!

[rainbow8]

Good luck, geez!! I hope this program helps you feel better! I'm wondering if you knew beforehand that "it's expected that you don't return to your T when the program is finished." Why is that? Why can't you see her for individual therapy afterwards?