[coolibrarian]

So it seems that T may be out on medical leave longer than she initially anticipated. My mood is in The Pit, although slightly higher than it was last week and on the weekend, when I didn't have a plan, per se, but I was thinking about ways to end the pain.

I texted my T a few times, and she encouraged me to contact my Pdoc (He does therapy, in addition to managing meds.). I was supposed to see him this coming Friday, but I was in such a horrible state that he's seeing me sooner, tomorrow morning.

I'm anxious. My T is the only T I've ever seen (if you don't count the marriage counselor that my then-spouse and I attended, MANY years ago; this counselor was less than helpful, and we didn't go back after 1 or 2 sessions).

Do people generally develop transference during brief therapy? I feel like I want to fight against it, if it starts happening. My T is a woman 8 years older than I am. My Pdoc is a man; I don't know how old he is, but I suspect I am older than he is.

For people here who have had a temporary T while their T was not available , what was your first session like? Did the T ask a lot of questions or just let you talk?

Pocket riders would be appreciated, too. The appointment is tomorrow at 11:30 a.m.

Thanks.
--Cool

P.S. LC ("Little Cool") has A LOT to say, but I hope she won't completely take over the session.

[SlumberKitty]

(((hugs))) I'll pocket ride.

I had brief therapy with a male T when my former T would be out of the country sometimes. It would only be a couple of sessions at most so not enough time for transference to happen. Mostly I would talk about missing my T and how things were going that week. I wouldn't get too deep into things I had been talking to T about, I just saw him as a stop-gap measure for when T was gone. But it sounds like your brief therapy may be longer than my brief therapy. I wish you lots of luck. (((hugs))) kit.

[LonesomeTonight]

I'll pocket ride.

[piggy momma]

I've never heard the term pocket ride?

I saw a therapist briefly over the summer while my regular T was away - he goes away every summer for just over three months. I didn't really get into anything deep with her, she just kind kept me stable and helped me not go off the rails until he got back. I didn't want to start anything with her that we weren't going to finish.

[nottrustin]

Originally Posted by coolibrarian

So it seems that T may be out on medical leave longer than she initially anticipated. My mood is in The Pit, although slightly higher than it was last week and on the weekend, when I didn't have a plan, per se, but I was thinking about ways to end the pain.

I texted my T a few times, and she encouraged me to contact my Pdoc (He does therapy, in addition to managing meds.). I was supposed to see him this coming Friday, but I was in such a horrible state that he's seeing me sooner, tomorrow morning.

I'm anxious. My T is the only T I've ever seen (if you don't count the marriage counselor that my then-spouse and I attended, MANY years ago; this counselor was less than helpful, and we didn't go back after 1 or 2 sessions).

Do people generally develop transference during brief therapy? I feel like I want to fight against it, if it starts happening. My T is a woman 8 years older than I am. My Pdoc is a man; I don't know how old he is, but I suspect I am older than he is.

For people here who have had a temporary T while their T was not available , what was your first session like? Did the T ask a lot of questions or just let you talk?

Pocket riders would be appreciated, too. The appointment is tomorrow at 11:30 a.m.

Thanks.
--Cool

P.S. LC ("Little Cool") has A LOT to say, but I hope she won't completely take over the session.

I have never had a temporary T. Howver I will gladly jump in your pocket.

[Taylor27]

I'll pocket ride too hugs

[coolibrarian]

Originally Posted by piggy momma

I've never heard the term pocket ride?

"Pocket ride" or "Pocket riders" are terms used here at Psych Central to indicate that the person who is "riding" is supporting the person who needs the support. Does that make sense?

[MoxieDoxie]

I also never had a temporary T. I will ride along in your pocket too. Feel better soon.

[starfishing]

I saw a temporary covering therapist at one point when my therapist was away for some months with a family emergency. It was a useful stopgap, and somewhat odd, and would sometimes leave me a bit bereft. But it was definitely a net positive as far as keeping myself on track with dealing with my issues, and I think I would have been feeling even more bereft without someone to vent to in that way. In my case things were more geared towards support and keeping a holding pattern with the substitute therapist, rather than insight the way things are with my usual therapist. Which felt appropriate at the time, though I might have needed something different if it had been more than a couple of months.

In your case it seems like an advantage that you're seeing someone you're familiar with already? So at least they'll know your basic history, even though you're usually just seeing him for med management?

[satsuma]

If you were feeling like you were going to end it all then that was a dark and dangerous place for you to be, if I have understood you correctly. I would encourage you to reach out for any help that is offered and try not to worry overly at the moment about transference and things like that. If you start feeling more stable then you can decide to pull back or not see the Pdoc or have a different plan, but right now I would think it is a good plan to reach out and be honest about how things are for you. I hope you feel better soon

[SalingerEsme]

I'll pocket ride. I am so glad a plan is in place, and you feel a bit stronger.