[SheHulk07]

Is there such a thing as TOO much therapy? Right now I'm currently seeing a T twice a week, plus going to 1 IOP group and 1 mindfulness group each week. I've never had the need to have so much therapy until the last few months. I keep wondering if it's doing more harm than good, and giving off the wrong impression that I'm just trying to get attention.

On the other hand, there's days and weeks that I'm so glad that I see a therapist twice a week, because I don't feel like I can make it through a few days without seeing one of them.

My kids are done with school in 2 weeks, and I won't have someone to watch them during my group hours, so I'm going to have to discuss the possibility of stopping groups with my therapist.

I'm just not sure what to do given all my issues lately with stabbing myself, cutting, SI, and getting hospitalized last week.

I know this is contradicting to my post in the self injury about thinking of doing IOP through the hospital because it would fit my schedule better. I'm just worried that more doesn't equal better?

[AllyIsHopeful]

In some cases, more does equal better. Looking at the situation objectively, if you are self-harming (to the point of even being recently hospitalized), more is probably better for you right now. It doesn't have to be forever...but maybe it would help you to take it one week at a time? Don't cut yourself off during a time you need extra support. If attending therapy every day helps you harm yourself less and keeps you safe, while still gaining coping skills, that's great.

I understand this feeling. I am experiencing this currently--seeing a long-term therapist twice a week while seeing a new therapist to focus on something else once a week. I asked myself today if three times a week was excessive or helpful. Looking back to the times I have felt "better", sessions would begin feeling like a burden. It felt like a chore and got in the way of things I would rather be doing, other responsibilities, and I found myself getting frustrated "wasting finances" on therapy. That is when I knew I could survive with less support. When crap hit the fan again and I began to feel miserable, I asked for extra sessions.

I hope this is helpful. I understand it is confusing.

[AllyIsHopeful]

Oh I missed the part about your kids being done with school in two weeks...That's tough. I hope you and your T could figure something out so you are able to do what is best for you.

I don't think there can be too much therapy, but I do believe there can too much of the wrong therapies.

[SheHulk07]

Originally Posted by AllyIsHopeful

Oh I missed the part about your kids being done with school in two weeks...That's tough. I hope you and your T could figure something out so you are able to do what is best for you.

Thank you. I think I will discuss the options with my therapist next week at my session and see what his opinion on quitting groups all together vs doing the hospital IOP for the summer.

Amy... is there another mom that you could switch babysitting times with...for instance if your groups are Tues Thurs can she watch your kids for a few hours and then you watch hers for a few hours on other days? When my kids were younger, my one neighbor and I used to do this. free childcare worked for all of us...

Another alternative, is seeing is there is a teenager in your neighborhood, whom you trust, who would be able to watch them for you... or maybe there is a half day summer camp that is put on by park and rec department in your town or schools that are cheap...

don't know where you live but we have those sorts of things here but I live on east coast...

[SheHulk07]

I don't have any friends that I'm close with that have kids, unfortunately. And I don't know my neighbors.

I will look up the summer camp to see if there's anything that I might be able to swing.

[msxyz]

There is a time for everything, including lots of therapy. Just after my hospitalization I was seeing my therapist thrice a week + group once a week.

If the other option is a complete breakdown any amount of outpatient therapy is better than that.

[Favorite Jeans]

Who looked after your kids while you were hospitalized? Maybe they could help again?
I second the suggestion about day camp. Try message boards and kijiji for babysitting swaps and part-time sitters. Taking care of yourself and keeping yourself as stable and available as possible is the best thing you can do for your kids.

[SheHulk07]

Originally Posted by Favorite Jeans

Who looked after your kids while you were hospitalized? Maybe they could help again?
I second the suggestion about day camp. Try message boards and kijiji for babysitting swaps and part-time sitters. Taking care of yourself and keeping yourself as stable and available as possible is the best thing you can do for your kids.

My husband and his mother watched them when they weren't in school. She refuses to watch them after they get out of school for the summer.