Therapy Budget Anxiety

I am happy you made progress. Thank you for keeping us posted on your journey.

Thank you all. I always love to get hugs and supportive comments, much appreciated.
Well, it's time for a monthly update, since I'm closing out billing for April (last four calendar weeks)

Last month, I did 12.75 hours of therapy, including emails billed at 1/2 hour each.

My old average was 30 hours a month.
I also cut costs by nearly 50% (the difference being because she raised her rates, so the costs add up faster now.)

I'm still facing a lot of financial stress. I haven't balanced my budget yet, though I'm trying very hard, but I'm proud of myself for working on the financial/emotional health balance.

I kept on track all month. Not perfect, but Good Enough.

Well done Leah that's really good. And pretty near perfect imo.

Great job Leah
I thought she wasn't going to increase the rates for you though

Thanks! Right, sorry the rate change was unclear. I started seeing her February 2013. In January 2014 she raised her rates 25%. Then, she raised her rates another 15% this month, but not for me. So, I'm paying more than I was last year, but I believe that rate will stay the same for me for the foreseeable future as I've had to tell her I really just can't afford more.

Also, she has told me I could pay less if necessary, or even nothing, so I really appreciate knowing that, but it's the very last thing I'd want to do.

"Not perfect, but good enough". I love this way of thinking. I could learn a lot by taking on this motto! Being a perfectionist is so anxiety-inducing and makes situations much more stressful.

Thanks for the update. I am inspired by your will power and your improvements are amazing.

Thanks for explaining the increases and even if you don't need to take her up on the offer it is very nice knowing she will be there whatever happens money wise

This is key, I think! Totally agree with Ally!

Leah you're doing amazingly well at the cutback. Feel so happy for you

This week I spent twice what I should in therapy: yesterday was long and rough. I have written my therapist a long, revealing email. I have set out for her, in general but comprehensive terms that I have a number of financial liabilities, and can not afford the therapy time. I have told her I did two weeks worth of therapy this week, so I should take next week off. That will not be easy, but I need limits. I am thinking I will find the middle ground of doing one, one-hour session midweek, instead of cutting altogether, and that'll help bring me back on track in a way that is hard, but at least doesn't feel quite so punitive. But I've also told her that she's like a personal trainer pushing me too hard, that when I come sometimes need help to calm down, to pace myself, because I already push very hard, that she pushes me too, like yesterday, and it's straining me financially and emotionally.

So.... wish me luck. I will have to try and allocate maybe just one hour to therapy midweek. I can do it, but I'll probably really miss the session time.

My therapist is so good, in so many ways, but I am realizing, the truth of the situation is that her time-management skills are not top notch, and as that's hard for me too....it's something I must really be aware of and work hard to make the most of the time I can afford and improve my coping skills more somehow. I've asked for her help... I just wonder what her best is.... I hate to say it but she clearly has a lot of room for improvement in that regard. No one's perfect I guess.

Well, another therapy week has ended and I did make progress. After overdoing it last week, I cancelled my Monday session to regain emotional and financial balance. My therapist has reached out to help me with my budget by offering to let me conduct one $50 email session that stretches between our Monday and Friday session, which will help me control costs and she's said she will help watch the clock and have us stop at one hour. Limits aren't her strong suit, but I think with us both aware of the issue and committed, it will help. I also finally told her my financial situation in a comprehensive way this week. Very hard, but probably good.

This week I did 1.5 hours, and doing that plus staying on track the next two weeks will help balance the monthly expense including so many hours last week.

Well, it took a lot of work, but I wanted to acknowledge I've made significant progress dealing with my therapy budget. I've kept on budget the past 10 weeks, 2.5 months. A good sign.

I still have a lot of financial stress, but think over time this will help my life feel more manageable.

Good for you. That is good news.

Congratulations! Being to stay on budget - especially with something like therapy (where there's such an emotional pull to do more) - is a huge accomplishment. And, such a good way to help things feel a tiny bit more stable (at least, for me!)

Good job Leah!

Good for you Leah , although I wish you could do more therapy if you had more money . I think , after a year they should have one of those cards where they punch a hole, for every 10 sessions one is free lol.

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Well Done, Leah. This is fantastic. You should be really proud of yourself.

I hope this will help you feel overall more in control of the financial issues. I am struggling with Therapy spending and feel incredibly guilty for paying each week to see someone when my boys need new school uniforms, etc. and £ is tight. I have decided I must stop - but I don't know how I will get through without her weekly support.

Well done Leah - this is great news. xxxx

Well done Leah