[TishaBuv]

Could I get a psy to read my 1700 posts on here in addition to 'talk therapy' with me?

I'd have to start with a new doctor. I'd even be willing to travel to find a really good one who can accurately diagnose me.

I'd feel so much better about letting them see what I said over all these posts to form a picture of my personality, rather than having to start all over again telling them all about me in one hour sessions.

Might be asking a bit much. Perhaps you could consider choosing a much smaller number of posts that you feel give the best insight into what you want him/her to know.

[unaluna]

Actually they get a lot from what you choose to tell about your life and how you present it, in the initial interviews. Kinda whether you mean to or not.

[guilloche]

I think it's an interesting idea... but I agree that it might be a bit much.

Maybe if you found someone who is used to working online, i.e. somebody who does distance therapy and uses email regularly, you might be able to work something out... but you'd likely have to pay for their time to do that, and possibly still collect your posts and send them (rather than asking them to search for the posts).

I think it's interesting because I write so much more easily than I speak. Even with my current/ex-T that I'm sort of drifting back towards, when I go to see him b/c I'm really upset and depressed, I tend to write up a summary of what's going on, because I know that if I try to talk about it, I'll either forget something, or edit myself, or just end up feeling shut down and not able to talk. It's frustrating, but I'm glad he's willing to read my notes and respond as he's reading.

Finding a new therapist IS super daunting though, I totally agree... I've been looking, unsuccessfully. And you're right, trying to catch them up on your life.. ugh. It's weird, but it's one of those things that makes a therapist that you have history with more valuable, even if they're not the best therapist for you - having that shared history and having someone who knows your context and family issues - is helpful, and takes time to create with someone new!

Good luck!

I think a T lines to get to know you through you in the here and now.

[brillskep]

That's a lot of posts and I don't think any therapist would have that kind of time. It might be helpful to select a few very important ones to help you talk about those topics in session - but I think it's very important to talk about topics at your own pace, as things come up in the new therapeutic relationship and as you build mutual trust. Even if a therapist had the time ... it would be artificial and rushed. I know and can relate to the difficulty of starting over with a new therapist, telling all your stories, explaining issues all over again, going through all that to let the therapist know you - but there's just no shortcut to building a healing relationship. I hope you will be able to find a good therapist who will be helpful.