[AnxiousGirl]

I just got back from my therapy session and my T decided that we should do something called PE in order to get over some very serious anxieties I have. She warned me that it would be scary and hard but that it's a proven method to help get over phobias and trauma. She told me to do some research before our next session next week and I'm searching it up but getting more worried because of what might happen. Can I stop at anytime if it gets too hard?

If anyone has had experience with it can you please share what goes on? Thank you so much

[phaset]

You can always say no and that you don't want to do something. You're the boss. They may even praise you for doing so.

[ThisWayOut]

you certainly can say no any time it gets to be too much. and I would encourage you and T to keep an open dialogue about how you are feeling. have that conversation with her before you guys start (I'm hoping she is already planning that out, but in case she doesn't, you need to bring it up).
just keep in mind that you will need to push yourself past your comfort limits. it will likely suck a lot, and be really scary. if you can trust your T & yourself though, it might prove really beneficial.
I know when I did emdr for some stuff, it was scary and triggering. It helped a lot to trust my T though. We developed a safe place and laid the groundwork for what to do if the emdr became too overwhelming. I panicked and wanted to back out a few times, but she was good at guiding me back through it all. she explained and re-explained what we were doing, why, and how it was supposed to help. she often checked in to make sure I was ok, even if I wasn;t expressing any discomfort.
I'm assuming (hoping) that your T will work on the safety piece first as a precurser to the actual pe...
go in with questions, tell her your concerns and worries, and come up with that safety net together. ask her to explain it in detail to you, what you guys will be doing, how to handle getting overwhelmed, when to push you vs when to back off a bit... it's scary, but ultimately you are still in control of it.
you can do this! <3

[stopdog]

Of course you can. You don 't even have to try this thing the therapist wants to do if you don't want to do it.

Why wouldn't you be able to say no? The therapist works for you.

[dancinglady]

What is PE?

[ManOfConstantSorrow]

Therapists are many things but probably not mind-readers - unless you tell them your concerns they won't know what helps or hinders, so speak out and get the rules straight before you start.

[ThisWayOut]

pe is prolonged exposure therapy. it was developed as a ptsd treatment, but can also be used for severe anxiety...

You should, but not all therapists accept no for an answer. Some will terminate if you don't do what they expect.

[AllHeart]

If you have done the research and don't feel this PE treatment is for you, hella yeah you can say no. There are certainly more ways than one to treat trauma and anxiety. Stay strong if it's something you do not want to do.

[divine1966]

T told me once to do something and I flat refused and now she actually agrees I was right. I am willing to try something different but if it is against my nature and my beliefs I refuse

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[iheartjacques]

Mine always says a good therapist won't say you have to talk about this or you must do this or that. They can give you options to try. If you trust them enough, you can try. But you can stop anytime you want to.
Well, I couldn't stop last session. He asked me a question. It was like I fell off a cliff. It was lousy timing.

[Ididitmyway]

You may stop any time for any reason.

[Lauliza]

You have the right to refuse any treatment a therapist suggests. Therapy is voluntary and you are paying them for a service. If you don't want or like the services they offer, you can say no any time. If that creates a problem in your future dealings with this T then she is not the T for you.

[Rive.]

Definitely. That is your right. You need to do what is/feels best for you. T can revisit at a later date, but you decide.

You are entitled to say 'no', at any time... even with or without justification (e.g. "this approach doesn't work for me"). T ought to accommodate accordingly.

[LindaLu]

You can always say no. In fact you can practice before you start PE. Tell the T, beginning with this session I will tell you stop this exploration/talk at some point and we will stop. When the T demonstrates stopping, respectfully, you might feel ready to start PE.