[Argonautomobile]

I don't mean to imply that I don't think there's a point to monthly therapy, I'm just wondering what a transition from weekly to monthly would look like? What differences there are, if any, between attending monthly vs weekly? Monthly somehow doesn't seem often enough to get "real work" done, and, while I'd rather have monthly therapy than no therapy, I wonder how to make the most of this seemingly limited time?

Has anyone here made that transition? Or, if you attend monthly therapy, what does that look like for you?

I'm not sure what answers I'm looking for, but any input would be appreciated.

[Permacultural]

Monthly is basically when the worst of the symptoms are now gone, and existing symptoms are being managed ok. There's very little risk of self harm at this point. The person has become their own therapist so monthly sessions are more of a check-in / fine tuning / catch up. At least in my experience.

[Argonautomobile]

Originally Posted by Permacultural

Monthly is basically when the worst of the symptoms are now gone, and existing symptoms are being managed ok. There's very little risk of self harm at this point. The person has become their own therapist so monthly sessions are more of a check-in / fine tuning / catch up. At least in my experience.

Thanks a lot for this reply. I think that describes me pretty well--things are ok. I'm stable. I get the "fine-tuning/check-in/catch-up" in theory, I just can't really picture what that looks like in detail. I guess I'll find out?

[Permacultural]

Sure thing. Monthly check ins for me are less intense and a good chunk of time is spent updating my therapist. I get a pat on the back and some reminders about possible areas of difficulty for me, maybe some book recommendations, and if something is really challenging we work on it. Monthly seems more behavioral to me.

I found when I reduced down to monthly, it was only for a few months and then we pretty much stopped. I was mostly going just as a check in "just in case," and "just in case" never happened thankfully. I still have the option to go back if needed, but I haven't had that need in a long time. It's pretty awesome place to be actually. Feels like I graduated.

[divine1966]

I can see my t more often if need to. Don't really need to right now. Once a month is ok. I might just stop. Don't know. Last session we just talked about me and my BF wanting to get engaged and she thought it was too early. Meh. Then talked about thanksgiving dishes. Kind if a waste. Before we talked that I worried about my moms chemo side effects. I might stop going. Don't know.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[gayleggg]

Monthly means to me that I'm stable but needing check ins to make sure I stay that way and that my thinking isn't getting distorted.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[unlockingsanity]

Originally Posted by Argonautomobile

I don't mean to imply that I don't think there's a point to monthly therapy, I'm just wondering what a transition from weekly to monthly would look like? What differences there are, if any, between attending monthly vs weekly? Monthly somehow doesn't seem often enough to get "real work" done, and, while I'd rather have monthly therapy than no therapy, I wonder how to make the most of this seemingly limited time?

Has anyone here made that transition? Or, if you attend monthly therapy, what does that look like for you?

I'm not sure what answers I'm looking for, but any input would be appreciated.

I didn't have a choice but to move to monthly sessions, so my answers will maybe be a little different. I go less often, but have longer sessions (1 1/2 hours) when I do go. I keep in touch via email in between with my T. I find I'm more focussed with monthly sessions because I'm forced to make the most of the session, vs. when I had weekly sessions and I would lapse into silences a lot. Monthly sessions also give you more time to make changes between sessions and then discuss how that is going.

[The_little_didgee]

Most of the time I go once every 4 weeks. We tried weekly and biweekly appointments, but it was too much. It turned out to be a waste of time, because I often sat there in silence. I discovered spacing the appointments out every 3 or 4 weeks works well. The wide spacing between them gives me time to think about what we discussed and make changes. I really need that time to get anything meaningful out of therapy.

I think we can make use of anything. Obviously deep work wouldn't get done with one a month therapy. But maybe just knowing is 'out there' for you can be useful.

[Lauliza]

For me it was a point when I had worked through my more pressing struggles. I had learned enough coping skills and was able do reach out to friends if I needed extra support. I guess that sense of urgency was no longer there. Like Lola if was also a stepping stone to going even longer in between to barely going at all. Because I check in with my pdoc as well, my T is for when I have tangible issues I can't handle on my own, which really doesn't happen much anymore. I can still see see her anytime I want, but right now I don't have anything that I can't address in my 30 minute pdoc appointment. It feels great to me - think it's a very freeing place to be.