[Kiya]

Soooo I'm new to this site and in limbo right now. I've been out of therapy for... going on 4 weeks and my Dr. really wants me back in. So on her reccomendation, I am going to see a PsyD (what ever that is, Psychologist? Psychiritrist?) this up-coming Monday and I am *really* pretty nervous because I don't know what to expect. Can any one offer any tips, advice, or questions I can run with? So far in the past 4 years I've seen a counselor and a therapist (never really knowing the difference). Is it just me or is this more serious? It feels more serious - like the big leagues rather than the minors.
Thanks in advance for any hints!!!!
Kiya

Hi Kiya.

A PsyD is a psychologist.... similar to a PhD only a PsyD is a Doctor of Psychology, rather than Philosophy. The difference between the two degrees is that the PsyD focuses on the clinical and counseling training whereas the PhD focuses more on the research.

A therapist is just a general term-- it can apply to anyone that you see for therapy regardless of the degree-- I have seen a therapist with a PhD as well as two therapists with Masters Degrees in Social Work.

Don't be nervous because your new therapist is a psychologist-- this just means that he/she has gone through extra schooling, is able to administer psychological testing.

As far as advice or questions that you should ask-- well that depends what you are going to therapy for. What would you like to know? Just be open and honest.... if you want to know something, ask. You will probably get answered with another question, but you said you've been in therapy before, so you are probably no stranger to that.

Best of luck in your session. I hope that you find a great connection there.

[Perna]

Hi, Kiya. How come you were out of therapy? I imagine your Dr. just wants you to "continue" and thinks this therapist might be a good fit for you. PsyD is a psychologist like Pinksoil says; that's the kind of therapist I had. They're fine.

[Kiya]

Thanks Pink. My formers also had an MS in various fields. Too many terms some times and i couldn't find out any info. Thanks for the explanation. Kiya

[Kiya]

Thanks Perna... i stopped because i couldn't afford it. Also I was sort of wanting to be out. So i wasn't too sad. Yeah, my Dr. found my neruological chemicals to be really really low (depression) and knows that i have an abuse history and still live in a "not-great" situation. So she wants me to have continued support. Neither know that occasionally i SI. I'm just so ingrained (by my abuser) that therapy is bad, counselors are for other people.... etc. So i still get really nervous and always end up crying after scheduling with someone new. Kiya

Oh and on the questions thing - I never know! I've seen 4 people now and never asked a single thing. I am just too much in an altered state to think for myself and just sit there and nod. Oy.

[withit]

So did you end up seeing the psychologist? Want to share with us how it all went? Wishing you inner peace.

[Kiya]

oh yeah... thanks... I feel like i'm lost and in over my head. Everyone's still trying to figure out if I'm DID MPD or not (which is annoying). One former T said no, but called me fractured and talked to the named parts as if they were real. Which made me switch. So I went to someone else who could tell me more effectively and she said Yes, I am MPD. So now I saw this new person who says "I really doubt it but I'll look for it." I'm soooooo confused. Meanwhile my former T expected me to come back to her no matter how many times i sent email trying to confirm that I am seeing this PsyD (due to finantial reasons). So yesterday I sent my former T an email saying "Look, I just need you to acknowledge that I am seeing this other person - I need closure!" So she confirms that and says we shouldn't contact each other any more, and next thing i know, I'm crying a lot and feeling abandoned - even though I'm the one that needed closure!!! I don't understand my own feelings around this. I wrote and told her that, and that I'll get over it, but that I end up attaching to people and then any time i set boundaries and people actually accept them, I feel like I'm being abandoned. Stupid, but there it is. She she writes that she is not abandoning me, just releasing me to seek other help. And I cry more! I don't even know why.
Anyway, so I met this PsyD and I don't even know if it will work out since the ONLY times she has available are training slots where students will have to sit in and observe. I mean YIPES! I'm terrified enough as it is, then to have a student observe?!? Plus scheduling with her and this particular student is really hard.... Oh and I just got hired in the mall for seasonal work!! .... so I dunno - I may end up just quitting until the new year.
meanwhile (allow me to continue my rant here), I had more flashbacks last night, a pack of cyotes came howling through the neighborhood at 4am scaring the **** out of my cat and I, the emotional upheavals this morning, and I just got word that my great, great aunt died last night. =( Oh and I have a flat tire. Ever have one of those days were things just seem to get worse? It's not even noon yet. Things probably aren't as bad as all that, but when I haven't had any good sleep, they sure feel like it.
Thanks for asking, though. Kiya

[sunrise]

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Anyway, so I met this PsyD and I don't even know if it will work out since the ONLY times she has available are training slots where students will have to sit in and observe. I mean YIPES! I'm terrified enough as it is, then to have a student observe?!?

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That sounds incredibly stressful and not conducive to developing a sound therapeutic relationship. Do you have to agree? When I go for doctor's appointments at a facility that has a training program for medical students, they always ask the patient if they will allow a medical student to be present, and the patient has the right to decline. Since you have only seen this therapist once, you don't have too much invested in therapy with her, so would it be better to just go to someone else who won't have a trainee sitting in? All you would have "wasted" is one session. Your life sounds very stressful right now. I hope you can find some ways to be good to yourself and relax. I agree, getting good sleep is so important. Hang in there!