[lenjan]

I have an appointment with a new T tomorrow. It took me 2 months to get. I made the appointment when I was doing really badly.

While I'm still not great, I'm clearly improving, and I'm thinking about calling to cancel. Maybe you guys could help me figure out why I should bother going? Frankly, I don't really need a T right now. The acute episodes come and go, and have since I was a young teen, and will even when I'm 80, and I've learned to ride them out. After nearly a decade in therapy, which I ended last year, I've solved my issues to my satisfaction. Basically, I'm going to be wasting insurance money paying someone to talk to me, since I have no friends in this dinky little town. Is it worth bothering?

CB

[lauren_helene]

Hi Candybear, I remember your post from before about having to wait. This of course is your choice to make. But if it were me, honestly, if you feel you have everything under control, then maybe you don't need therapy.

However, if there is something still unfinished from your prior therapy, that you'd like to pursue, go your first session and then make your decision.

[Soidhonia]

Hello CandyBear.
It is good to see you posting something positive about your recovery. I really feel that you SHOULD go to the appointment since the therapist may have ways of coping with your disorder that may actually make a difference in your recovery. Since you have insurance I feel you should at least wait to see the therapist before you make the decision. I hope the best for you Candy Bear. Take care and good day. Soidhonia

[sunrise]

Sometimes it is good to make a connection with a T, establish a relationship, then stop going to see them if you need. Then you have them "in reserve" and can revisit them if you get to any crises in life. So maybe you could go see this new T for a half dozen sessions or so, work on a very specific problem (e.g. anxiety about school, etc.), achieve some success, then go on hiatus, with the understanding you will contact her again if you need her.

My sister has a longterm relationship with a therapist but only goes to see her during times of high stress and crises when she needs that extra support.

[Rapunzel]

Candy,

I know that you had a pretty rough time in the last few months. I'm glad to hear that you are doing better now, and I do hope that the better times stay. My vote (not that I get to vote on your decision, but if I had one) would be to go, and talk about the progress that you have made and where you are right now, as well as the last few months. You can ask this new therapist about whether or not you would benefit from continuing.

It rings a bell with me, because when I'm down I think it's always like that and no point in even trying, and I don't get any benefit from going to therapy right then because all I want to do is sit there and complain, or sit there and stare and get stared at, because I can't even think of anything to say. But when I'm doing better, it's like I can't believe I was that far down in the pit again, I thought I was over this already. I told T that what I did last month caught me by surprise and I don't expect to be like that again (although I keep doing it at least twice a year or more). Even though right now I don't feel like slipping again, T pointed out that thinking that way is like writing a treatment plan that says that there was a problem, ... and it just went away, ... and now it won't happen again. Ok, how do you get from here to there and back?

If it still happens sometimes, then it's still a problem until it is effectively addressed. And the time to work on it is now, when you are feeling better and able to concentrate and do some real work.

TC,
Rap

[lenjan]

Well, I took the middle road and rescheduled. I have somewhere to be for work today at the time I would have had to leave for the appointment (it came up quickly and I am the only one in the office today).

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on the matter.

CB

[jacq10]

((((((((((((((((((Candy))))))))))))))))

[EJ711]

Candybear,

I think it would be good to go to build a "local" support system.

Hugs,

EJ