Hi all,
Right now I'm trying to decrease the frequency of my therapy sessions. I currently meet twice a week with T, and once a week with an art T. I have been trying for a while to meet only once each week with T, but each time I find myself nearly begging for an extra session (which, more often than not, she grants).

Normally I meet with T on Tuesday and then meet art T on Wednesday. I then typically get an extra session with T on Thursday. I'm trying to end that extra session.

So I'm wondering what ideas you all have for decreasing sessions? I feel I should be able to handle less sessions, but am having a super tough time with this. Any thoughts or suggestions welcomed. Thanks!

[kaliope]

could you spread out the sessions between t and art t across the week? like mon and thurs so that way you dont go so long between meeting with a t

[Leah123]

I'm cutting back as well. I try to plan other pleasurable diversions for the therapy time, like a nap, hot bath, coffee, movie, etc.

[~EnlightenMe~]

It doesn't sound like you are ready to reduce to one session a week. For awhile, I did two times a week, and I needed it at that time. Now, I don't feel like I need the session, although sometimes it is difficult in between. I think once you feel safe enough, that you will be able to lessen your sessions to once a week. Have you talked to your T about this dilemma? Keep us posted

[RTerroni]

I remember that with the Therapist who I saw for 4 years I started seeing her once every week then after a few months of meeting we went to once every other week and it stayed that way for the duration of the time we saw each other.

T and I have talked about decreasing for a bit now. Part of the issue is that I'm super dependent on her and strongly attached. I'd go 5 days a week if I could. It's hard because she's pretty much the only support network I have right now.

Kaliope - I was thinking about talking to both Ts about that. It might help a lot.

[Karrebear]

What makes you want the extra session on thursday? Is it because you are needing help or because you will miss her until the following tue?

I like kaliope's idea, though.

Good question. I think it's more that I will miss her. I will usually come up with some crisis in order to see her. So it seems like I do actually need help, but I think I may be unconsciously creating the crisis because I miss her and want to see her. Hope that makes sense.

[Auntie2014]

First I would spread out to MON WED & FRI appointments. Then go to TUE and THUR. If you can go from Thur to Tues you should be able to stretch things out. Also talk to both Ts about things to do between sessions and options to prevent need for extra session.

[Asiablue]

To be honest it doesn't sound like you are ready to drop sessions and there's no shame in that. And there's no shame in being overdependent, that's obviously the stage your at, and eventually you will grow out that. If you are adamant about reducing sessions, the extra session you end up asking for, next time could you just call her and have a 20 mins check in with her? That might be enough for you. Or you could make up a list of things to try to solve whatever crisis you have before calling her.