Squeezing therapy into an irregular schedule--Help!

I'm just getting worse and worse without therapy. I know I need to get help, and I've had a phone consultation with a therapist I really click with, but...I don't have a driver's license. (My driving phobia is one of the reasons I need therapy.)

One of my sisters offered to drive me to my sessions, but, the problem is, she gets two days off work every week and they're never consisten. For example, she could have Monday/Friday off one week and Tuesday/Thursday the next. I don't know if most therapists have the flexibility in their schedules to see me weekly, even with advance notice of which day(s) I can show up.

Sometimes, my sister gets frustrated and tells me if I would just learn to drive, I could go whenever I wanted. She doesn't understand how bad my phobia is. I don't have any other options for transportation right now, though, as using a cab or taxi weekly would get expensive--and I don't have a lot of extra money to spare.

Should I call the therapist and see if she and I can work something out? Search for a therapist who can make house calls? Try "e-therapy"? I honestly don't know what to do here!

If you like this T, I'd definitely call and explain the dilemma. Perhaps T does have the flexibility with advance notice. You have nothing to lose by asking. Also, perhaps you can schedule regular meetings and in the event sister is unavailable you can have your session over the phone. I have done phone sessions when sitter canceled last minute, or if I was expecting the exterminator at that time; it worked for us.
Best of luck on working this out.

Thanks so much for your advice. I'll call her tomorrow and see if we can figure something out together. Also, the phone sessions are a good idea--hadn't even thought of that!

I've done e-therapy and I think there are some online therapists who will do therapy by phone (and/or webcam conferencing; lots of new stuff happening, I just did e-mail (twice/different therapists both experiences very good)). Check http://www.metanoia.org and maybe find someone in your area so, later, when you're working on driving you can maybe learn to drive there?

Thank you for your suggestions! I'm checking the link out now and this sounds like something that could help me. I definitely plan on driving to see a therapist once I get my license (and more confidence!).

Always Searching,

I have an irregular schedule too and it has never been an issue. The consistency of an appointment on a specific day of the week at a specific time is for your benefit. It has nothing to do with the Ts schedule.

Most Ts will accomodate your schedule within their normal work hours.

Good luck with your therapy.

That helps a lot, Lily! Thanks!

My sister might be getting a different job soon--with a more regular schedule--but it's good to know that a T can work around an irregular schedule if I need to.

and sometimes a T will adjust their work day a bit to accomodate a needy patient Make that call and ask... Ts are always welcoming to someone so eager to get to work (on themselves.) TC

I have a T that is very flexible as my teaching hours change from week to week. It hasn't been a problem so far. Also, I've used Kasamba.com for short term counseling questions and found some of the more qualified people to be helpful. Definitely ask about flexibility - you won't know if you don't ask. Good luck.