[winterbaby]

Hello everyone, I'm new here and just finished some 4 sessions of short term counselling for anxiety. I feel like I've been opened up on the operating table with all my inner workings spilled out and now left to gather everything up and sew myself together. What a feeling. I need to go deeper and resolve this but can't do any more counselling because my counselling benefits have ended. I miss my counsellor too and don't want to work with anyone else (stamping my foot like my 6 year old does). What a big pain this whole therapy thing is. First I resist, then I get hooked then I'm bumped off. What kind of a relationship is that?! Is this a pretty normal reaction those out there who have been through this or are going through it? And how long does this last?

[(JD)]

Wow 4 sessions is really short! I'm sorry, you are certainly going through "withdrawal" I guess. Maybe focus on what you did learn about the anxiety for you? TC

[Dezdemona]

(((((winterbaby))))))

I really like your analogy of the operating table. I think its quite accurate, and I can't imagine how that must feel. I hope you find someone else to help you out. I'm sorry you have to deal with this on top of your issues that got you into counselling in the first place. Take care of yourself.

--Desiree

[ErinBear]

Hi Winterbaby,

Did you ask your therapist if there is any chance of having additional sessions? I think it depends on your policy, but I've heard sometimes they can request additional sessions in some health insurance plans when warranted. It may be worth checking this out, either with your therapist, or with your physician (if your physician referred you). If you'd like to continue seeing the therapist and insurance won't cover it, you can ask about seeing the therapist as a private patient, and how that might work. Many therapists have sliding fee scales, and there may be some way you could afford it privately. This may be worth investigating as well.

It is indeed hard to say goodbye to a therapist when you've made a good match, and I don't know how long that process lasts. I suspect it is different for everyone. But 4 sessions is awfully short, and I hope it will be possible for you to go back and have some additional meetings somehow.

Take care,
ErinBear

How about going to a free crisis center, they have therapists and so on that deal with many things and its free. you go to as many sessions as you need. I have on many occasions recieved therapy from crisis centers across the USA when I could not afford to pay.

churches also have free therapy options.

[Hopefull]

Four sessions! I'd hate that. I'm glad my insurance isn't that annoying. I hope you find a way to continue the therapy as long as you need it. Many of the postings here is a good idea to look into. I hope one works out for you.
I'd feel that way to if I'd only had four sessions and couldn't go on. I think it took about four sessions to reach the point where I'd started my compulsive dumping of information. I couldn't seem to stand being a way for a while. Because I just needed to dump more on the counselor. I help it isn't as emotionally painfull as it would have been for me.

[winterbaby]

Thanks everyone, I think I'll go get some nice colourful thread.