[hangingon]

I went to see another new T today. I was really nervous because of my experience with the one I met last week.

I didn't tell the new T about that expereince but that experience did give me more insight as to what to ask about the next one.

After my experience last week, I decided to find out up front what this one charges. She said 80-100 and hour. Her site also said she offered slide and scale fees. She also mentioned that she does not accept insurance.
Since I am a full time student paying the regular rate would not be affordable to me. I ended up emailing her again regarding slide and scale, she told me she offers sessions for 60 and hour if you make under 30,000 a year. Since I had menitoned my insurance in the last email, she asked what my co-pay is per visit with insurance. So I sent another email explaining my situation with school ect and told her that my current copay is 27 dollars a session.
So get this, she sends me and email back and says I really understand the struggles with finances while in graduate school, so how about 30 dollars a session. I was like oh my gosh, is there for real, there must be a mistake.

Anyways, I met with her today and she was great. I was nervous of course but some how talking to her was not bad at all and she assured me that I could do this at my pace, that she has no time period as to when I need to be done therapy, somehow knowing that I have that control really helped me.
Then I asked her the big question. I said I need to know that you have experience working with people who have been sexually abused. She said absolutely, said she worked at a center for quite some time that was exclusively for sexually abused individuals.
Then she says something to the effect that thats one of her best areas of interest because she is amazed at how they pull through given such circumstances, and that she loves to see them progress.

I am going to see her again next week before officially making my decision to to tell my other T of the news. My other T has no idea that I have been searching for a new T. I have no idea if and how I am going to break that news to her, she really is a great person, I just don't feel connected to her at all.

I guess what I loved most with the new one is that though she is professional, I felt like she was real, if that makes sense. For instance, I shared with her that I like to travel and then she shared with me of one of her trips to africa (peace work or something like that), and also shared that she has a 16 year old daughter who wants to attend a year of univeristy is Africa. I know nothing about my other T , some people want to know nothing but for me knowing a little, just a little, allows me to see they are normal people.

I guess I was just shocked after seeing the T last week, whom had said T who take HMO's are either not that experienced or very compassionate. So the one that I saw today does not take insurance, yet, was still very compassionate. I so wanted to ask her what she was thinking to allow me such a low rate

Hangingon

[velcro003]

yay!!!! that is great to hear

[Luce]

!!!

That is wonderful! I read about your struggles with the previous T you visited, and I am SO glad you had the courage to try again after that experience. This T sounds like she might be the 'fit' for you.

I have been looking for a T recently, and met with one whom I felt no connection with whatsoever. She was extremely professional (read: 'aloof'), and had a very cold and clinical consulting room. I felt so intimidated in that room with her, and found it very difficult to talk.

I saw her twice, then tried another T. This one is friendly open, warm, engaging (a real live person!) and her room is lovely, with big comfy sofas, big airy windows that look out to an enclosed garden space, and lots of colorful kid artwork on the walls. I have been to see her twice now, and can actually sit there and stay present and *talk* to her. (Wow.)

Guess I just want to illustrate the point that the *fit* of the T makes or breaks therapy. Some people you can work with, and some people you just can't. Sometimes you don't even know the fit is wrong until you try another T and find that it works out so much better.

YAY YOU for finding someone you can work with!!!

glad to hear you found someone so great. i know of a therapist who also charges people around $25 an hour. she just does it out of the goodness of her heart. after i read your post i was inspired to go and call this therapist i've emailed a couple of times for an appointment.

[gimmeice]

(((((((((((((((( hangingon )))))))))))))))))

That is great news, I hope things work out with this one she sounds nice.

((((((((((((((((((((((Hangingon)))))))))))))))))))))))

You deserved this great experience after that last horrible T you saw!

I am so glad that you felt like you could connect with her, and that she was kind enough to offer you the reduced rate....with no "time limit" to get better.

yay!

[hangingon]

Thank you

She was really nice and she is even going to allow me to call and email.

Said sometimes between sessions there may be something I want to ask or have clarified ect, to feel free to call her. Not that I will be using that, haven't even done that with my T yet. But its good to know.
Email sounds great though lol, its easier.

[searchingmysoul]

You were very brave to checkout other T's.

She sounds pretty amazing. I hope things continue to unfold well.

[sunrise]

hangingon, I am so happy to read this!!! She sounds great--hurray! And what a great rate. You deserve all this. What a happy way to end your saga of a search for a T who is a better fit.

[Pheonix28]

Good for you and dont worry about the other theripist. Rememer why your doing this change. Everything will work out.