[ShrinkPatient]

This is partly a repost because I want some advice. Someone should probably talk me out of this.

"When I found out yesterday that My T is going on vacation for the last 2 weeks of October, I think I regressed by at least 30 years. I'm being a baby about the whole thing. I want her to go. She needs the break I'm sure. I truly want her to relax. I just wish I wouldn't be missing 4 sessions. I'm already anxious about it. She said she wants me to email and that she would have time to talk with me on the phone. Part of me is absolutely relieved that I'll still be in contact with her and part of me just wants her to go away and take a complete break from me. I hope I can bring myself to turn down the phone checks. I think she's a little worried because once when she went away I ended up EDed in the psych ward. It just can not happen this time."

I am thinking about asking my PDoc for a referral for massage therapy so my insurance would cover it and trying to get set apts up for the time I'd normally be in session. I thought it might relieve some of the anxiety and also help me not to ruminate that I'd normally be sitting with her in session at that time. Is that going too far? Would that be completely ridiculous and out of line. I'd sound like an idiot wouldn't I?


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[growlycat]

It's worth asking. I didn't know that was possible, having insurance cover massages??
What other options do you have---see an interim T maybe?

[(JD)]

No, it sounds like a plan---unless you think a massage might trigger you. If you don't know if you'll feel safe and good about it, I wouldn't do anything like that while your T is away.

I would rely upon the T's judgment. Don't worry about your T's health, that's their job and if she is offering you contact, take it. If you happen to be able to distract yourself and feel more safe than you thought with T gone, then you can not use all that she's offered you...but there's no sense in turning down help your T thinks you may need.

[ShrinkPatient]

Originally Posted by growlycat

It's worth asking. I didn't know that was possible, having insurance cover massages??
What other options do you have---see an interim T maybe?

I wouldn't feel comfortable seeing another T. It's My T that I'm attached too.
As for the massage therapy, yes if you have a referral from a Dr then most insurances will cover it with only an out of pocket co-pay. Well, at least the insurances I've had experiences with when I worked for an Dr's office that employed licensed massage therapists. I've never done it myself but most of our patients had referrals and only paid the copay.

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[Yobeth]

That is so nice of your T to say you can still contact her. My T takes 6 weeks off during the summer without any contact. That's hard!

[ShrinkPatient]

Originally Posted by (JD)

No, it sounds like a plan---unless you think a massage might trigger you. If you don't know if you'll feel safe and good about it, I wouldn't do anything like that while your T is away.

I would rely upon the T's judgment. Don't worry about your T's health, that's their job and if she is offering you contact, take it. If you happen to be able to distract yourself and feel more safe than you thought with T gone, then you can not use all that she's offered you...but there's no sense in turning down help your T thinks you may need.

The massage wouldn't trigger me as far as I know. I saw a physical therapist several years ago, and he gave me one during one of my visits and it was awesome. It relieved a lot of physical and mental tension.
I know my T believes I need the contact I just don't like feeling pathetically needy..../:

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[ShrinkPatient]

Originally Posted by Yobeth

That is so nice of your T to say you can still contact her. My T takes 6 weeks off during the summer without any contact. That's hard!

Oh my!!!! I really would be a basket case. I'm sorry for you. My T has went 3 weeks once when her father was passing away and she kept contact with me then. She's not perfect but she is still worth more then 100Xs her weight in gold.

:hugs

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[FeelTheBurn]

If you're a fan of massage, I think it sounds like an excellent self-care solution while she's away.

I'm jealous--I've got to get an insurance plan that covers massage!!

[shezbut]

I agree ~ if your insurance plan will cover the massages, go for it! You may want to try to push yourself to accept the massages at a different time though, as a reward for getting through that T time without losing it! Rewarding oneself for making it through challenges really helps!

[ShrinkPatient]

Originally Posted by shezbut

I agree ~ if your insurance plan will cover the massages, go for it! You may want to try to push yourself to accept the massages at a different time though, as a reward for getting through that T time without losing it! Rewarding oneself for making it through challenges really helps!

That's a really great idea! I like challenging myself. Maybe I'll do it both ways. The first week reward. The more difficult, second week I might stick to my regular schedule.

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