[InRealLife45]

AsiaBlue has been a significant bad influence lately, so much so that I am contemplating seeing an art therapist for $130 a session once a month bc she teases me about how great her art therapist is.

Do you think this might be beneficial even though it will be cash pay, or should I focus on someone quite a bit cheaper with intentions of transitioning from current T rather than supplementing?

[HazelGirl]

Are you definitely switching T's? If so, I would recommend finding someone you can see more than once a month.

[InRealLife45]

Originally Posted by HazelGirl

Are you definitely switching T's? If so, I would recommend finding someone you can see more than once a month.

For the next 6 months, barring major catastrophe or additional rupture, I am staying with current T till christmas.

[guilloche]

Hi InRealLife45...

I have never done art therapy, it sounds fascinating though. But... am I understanding correctly that in 6 months you'll *have* to change Ts b/c of the insurance issues?

I think, if it were me, I'd be a little concerned about that. In 6 months, it'll be Christmas time, Ts may be out on vacation, it might be a rough time for you (it is for me), it might be hard to jump in with someone new. If it were me, and I had a little extra money, I'd be inclined to use the time/money to start doing "interviews" with new Ts on the side... you know, one off meetings here and there, being totally upfront about when you're looking to start. That way you can use the safety and security of your current T-relationship as a place to come back to, but still branch out and explore... and you can hopefully find someone awesome you click with, to help make the switch a little more smooth and less scary when it happens.

But, that's just me... Other than that, I think if art therapy strikes your fancy, why the heck not give it a try?

[Asiablue]

Originally Posted by InRealLife45

AsiaBlue has been a significant bad influence lately, so much so that I am contemplating seeing an art therapist for $130 a session once a month bc she teases me about how great her art therapist is.

Do you think this might be beneficial even though it will be cash pay, or should I focus on someone quite a bit cheaper with intentions of transitioning from current T rather than supplementing?

Umm I do not tease you about my lovely therapist. And also... You could have a lovely therapist too if you just let her help you.

[InRealLife45]

Originally Posted by guilloche

Hi InRealLife45...

I have never done art therapy, it sounds fascinating though. But... am I understanding correctly that in 6 months you'll *have* to change Ts b/c of the insurance issues?

I think, if it were me, I'd be a little concerned about that. In 6 months, it'll be Christmas time, Ts may be out on vacation, it might be a rough time for you (it is for me), it might be hard to jump in with someone new. If it were me, and I had a little extra money, I'd be inclined to use the time/money to start doing "interviews" with new Ts on the side... you know, one off meetings here and there, being totally upfront about when you're looking to start. That way you can use the safety and security of your current T-relationship as a place to come back to, but still branch out and explore... and you can hopefully find someone awesome you click with, to help make the switch a little more smooth and less scary when it happens.

But, that's just me... Other than that, I think if art therapy strikes your fancy, why the heck not give it a try?

Of the therapists covered by my insurance, I havent found any I want to see. The only ones I'm interested in would be cash pay. But even they dont want to see me as long as I'm seeing current T. Theyre very territorial. But as for HAVING to change- insurance granted me the 6 months at stage 1 of my appeal/grievance, so I'm pretty sure I can pry more sessions out of them next year when these run out, by escalating the appeal.

Even if they don't, if things work out with T and I end up staying, it would only be about $3,000 (a little less) to get me to June when she can opt back in to medicare and insurance will take over payments again. So I'd be responsible for payments for only 5 months.

But all that is a big if...we have to survive the next few weeks/months first.

[sweepy62]

Art therapy is wonderful, my psychologist, is an art therapist as well, but has not has the chance to use it much until now, I dont express myself well with words when it comes to feelings and emotions, related to trauma. I paint or draw, then we talk about it. Im getting better at talking now.

[guilloche]

Ah, I see... yeah, then why not? It sounds really interesting, and since you've got a personal referral, you can trust that she's a good T... I'd say go to a session and see how you like it! I mean, you won't know if you don't try, right?

[blur]

irl, i've been taking art journaling classes online that are very much like art therapy. i love it and if that sounds better--because it's a little less than the price of one art T session--PM me and i'll send you the link. we have a facebook group and the support there is amazing. i can't say enough good things about the classes i'm taking. i just need to finish them, lol.

[JustShakey]

If you can scrape up the $$$, go for it.
I would love to try art therapy. I stink at feeling my emotions, not to mind talking about them... I can't seem to find any art therapists around here though.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[InRealLife45]

Originally Posted by guilloche

Ah, I see... yeah, then why not? It sounds really interesting, and since you've got a personal referral, you can trust that she's a good T... I'd say go to a session and see how you like it! I mean, you won't know if you don't try, right?

Personal referral? You mean Asia? No...Asia is in a different country than me. This art therapist I used to see a few years ago (but not for art therapy, just talk therapy). She was sweet but we didnt super click, but thats partially-mostly-bc of how reserved I was.

Also, today I found a biweekly adult art therapy group. AND they have MFT's doing mindfulness counseling for $30 a session, so I can learn the crap my T is pushing at a fraction of the cost. Now to find a DBT group, bc this workbook is ****ing killing me, I despise it. I need to suffer with others.