Therapist choices....
The thread for What Would You Do Differently? got me started thinking about my therapy. A couple of you mentioned you would start therapy earlier if you could do it again. I started right after my surgery; about a month in. I contacted my EAP (Employee Assistance Program) through work and you tell them what kind of provider you need and what specialties you are interested in. Then they choose providers in your area that work with them. You get 5 free sessions a year and then after that you can choose to continue going on your own. I chose a therapist who specializes in addiction and she also takes my insurance, just in case I wanted to keep seeing her after my 5 sessions were up.
I like her.... but I don't know if I'm getting anything out of the sessions. Two years ago, when I started this process, I met with a woman that I connected with immediately and we only had a few sessions but she was amazing. She really made me think and process my feelings. I moved to another city so I can't go to her anymore but I wish I had seen her more while I was in town. I don't get the same feeling I had with her when I leave the new therapist's office. It has been 5 sessions and I have talked about my life and my family and my surgery but I feel like that's all I've done. Just talked. She hasn't really asked me to do any homework except journal my feelings more. I don't really take anything away from our sessions.
What are your thoughts? Do you think I should continue seeing her and give her more time to get to know me? Or should I start over with someone else until I find that connection I had with my other therapist. I don't have anything against this new one but I just don't feel like its a perfect match.... maybe I'm missing the point, I don't know. I know it's not crucial for us to be best buddies but I just don't feel like I'm getting much out of my sessions. Thanks in advance for any advice!
KittyKarin :-) Starting weight: 362 / Surgery weight: 353 / Current weight: 190 (03/27/2017)
Having been through some issues with "therapists" lately - I have to say, try another one. You deserve to find someone that you can have that connection with and maximize your time with a therapist. You can talk to anyone, but you need someone who will push you a little to make progress.
www.sexyskinnybitch.wordpress.com - my journey to sexy skinny bitch status
11/16/12 - Got my Body by Sauceda - arms, Bl/BA, LBL, thigh lift.
HW 420/ SW 335 /CW 200 
85 lbs lost pre-op / 135 post op
~~~~Alison~~~~~
Gastroscopy: May 26th 2012 SW + HW 360
Labs: May 30th 2012 Post opti 341.2
SD: June 25th 2012 Post op 338.6
I started therapy a few years ago - I started with the national eating disorder association's website & their 'find a therapist' section. I found local therapists, narrowed it down to those with a PhD & a website & went from there. I chose mine based on her bio, her research areas & her photo - I really liked her smile.
she's fantastic, and well worth every penny
Could you do phone sessions with the old therapist or do you need them to be in person? I know EPA has phone counseling as well, and I think as long as your therapist classifies it as a different issue you can get 5 free sessions per issue, my counselor actually told me that when I had EPA. Depression, job seeking, addiction, anger ect. I think you could change counselor a too, u should def have someone that you connect with.
Just some thoughts
Lisa
I am starting my individual therapy today. I got the recommendation from a psychiatrist I know. I hope she is a good fit for me. I also am starting Celebrate Recovery tonight that involves a step program. I need to deal with what is eating me, especially the incest issues that I know catapulted me into the 200's in my teens. I did do therapy in my 30's but ballooned up to the 300's after I stopped going after 3 years. Time to get to the root of the problem.
I just ask for peace for all of us. We deserve to be happy, thin and healthy...physically and mentally.
Blessings,
Sharon
