Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Support Group
Find support with others who have gone through a traumatic experience. Whether you have chronic or acute PTSD, we are here for you.
Hi All ...
I first joined DS several years ago when I was told I had PTSD due to abuse issues in my childhood.
My therapist, who works in Southern California, was amazing and used EMDR as well as a TON of patients to help me see that life is worth living.
I'll spare you the details but after a good bout of happiness I started slipping back into depression. I relocated far, far away from my support system into a job with horrible management and massive demands. I lasted 18 months in that environment before I pulled the plug, quit, moved to another new area (where I don't know anyone). I ran through all of my savings, maxed out my credit cards and still can't find a job. Needless to say the stress of everything served as a trigger and I started having flashbacks and panic attacks again. I tried to deal with it myself but realized that I needed help so I researched resources in my area and was thrilled to find an organization that offers therapy to people just like me, free if I don't have the ability to pay.
I started with a consult and that went well. I felt comfortable with the "intake specialist" and could speak freely (or as freely as I'm able). She was seasoned and knew how to talk to me and make me comfortable. I was then assigned to a grad student who graduates next June for 1:1 therapy sessions.
Here's where I'm not sure what to do. I've been through two sessions with the student therapist and while she's nice she does just about everything possible to make me uncomfortable. Our knees almost touch because the chairs are so close. She sits between me and the door. The lamp is directly on my right and between us on a table, so it's bright. There are children's toys and games in the office, which make me uncomfortable. There's a thick cushion on the back on the chair, which forces me even closer to her and gives me less room for my feet because they're almost touching hers.
Then there's the DBT ... which I've not used before. I'm not sure if it's her or if it's the process I don't like. She makes a big deal about telling me that she's "heard me" and is constantly asking me how that "makes me feel?" She seems overly eager and at times almost agressive in her willingness to help me make connections. The whole things stresses me out.
I guess my question is ... is that DBT or is that just her style? I'm pretty sure I'm going to stop going because so far (and I know it's only been two weeks) I feel worse when I leave instead of better.
Has anyone else experienced this with DBT? I looked it up as a treatment and it has a very positive rating here from other DS users. So far, I hate it.
I want to tell her about my concerns but this last week she was throwing around a bunch of diagnosis terms. I know I have PTSD. The intake person said I have PTSD ... I have a feeling I'm about to get slapped with a bunch of labels if I don't just play along and do what I'm told. Problem is ... just playing along isn't going to help me and will be a waste of time.
Sorry for the long post ... I guess my question is is DBT supposed to be an in your face kinda treatment?
Thanks for any insights and/or advice you can offer.
I first joined DS several years ago when I was told I had PTSD due to abuse issues in my childhood.
My therapist, who works in Southern California, was amazing and used EMDR as well as a TON of patients to help me see that life is worth living.
I'll spare you the details but after a good bout of happiness I started slipping back into depression. I relocated far, far away from my support system into a job with horrible management and massive demands. I lasted 18 months in that environment before I pulled the plug, quit, moved to another new area (where I don't know anyone). I ran through all of my savings, maxed out my credit cards and still can't find a job. Needless to say the stress of everything served as a trigger and I started having flashbacks and panic attacks again. I tried to deal with it myself but realized that I needed help so I researched resources in my area and was thrilled to find an organization that offers therapy to people just like me, free if I don't have the ability to pay.
I started with a consult and that went well. I felt comfortable with the "intake specialist" and could speak freely (or as freely as I'm able). She was seasoned and knew how to talk to me and make me comfortable. I was then assigned to a grad student who graduates next June for 1:1 therapy sessions.
Here's where I'm not sure what to do. I've been through two sessions with the student therapist and while she's nice she does just about everything possible to make me uncomfortable. Our knees almost touch because the chairs are so close. She sits between me and the door. The lamp is directly on my right and between us on a table, so it's bright. There are children's toys and games in the office, which make me uncomfortable. There's a thick cushion on the back on the chair, which forces me even closer to her and gives me less room for my feet because they're almost touching hers.
Then there's the DBT ... which I've not used before. I'm not sure if it's her or if it's the process I don't like. She makes a big deal about telling me that she's "heard me" and is constantly asking me how that "makes me feel?" She seems overly eager and at times almost agressive in her willingness to help me make connections. The whole things stresses me out.
I guess my question is ... is that DBT or is that just her style? I'm pretty sure I'm going to stop going because so far (and I know it's only been two weeks) I feel worse when I leave instead of better.
Has anyone else experienced this with DBT? I looked it up as a treatment and it has a very positive rating here from other DS users. So far, I hate it.
I want to tell her about my concerns but this last week she was throwing around a bunch of diagnosis terms. I know I have PTSD. The intake person said I have PTSD ... I have a feeling I'm about to get slapped with a bunch of labels if I don't just play along and do what I'm told. Problem is ... just playing along isn't going to help me and will be a waste of time.
Sorry for the long post ... I guess my question is is DBT supposed to be an in your face kinda treatment?
Thanks for any insights and/or advice you can offer.
I used the college when I had no insurance, had no money, was disabled and couldn't return from medical leave. The PTSD had me stuttering and I've never stuttered before.
The college elevator even got stuck with me and another woman in it when I was leaving. The other woman was getting so hyper and I'm in my electric scooter, stuttering and telling her that we will be okay and I'll get us out of here. I kept hitting the ALARM button on the elevator and nothing. The phone connected me to no one. Eventually, I began beating on the door and yelling loudly. Soon students gathered and opened the door forcefully.
It turns out we got stuck at the first floor, but the door would not open on it's own. The building guard was at a desk nearby and never heard the alarm. Thank goodness the woman calmed down as I stuttered to her because I would have gone into a PTSD flashback if she had worked herself up so far that she started yelling in that confined space.
Explain to the student that is helping you that you feel like all the terms are labels getting thrown around and she is speaking to a layman and everything should be put in laymen's terms to help you and examples given to better help you.
Know that these sessons are recorded visually and verbally so that her professor can view, review them with the student and then guide her towards a better way of handling the patient.
I was called about 6 months ago by that college and asked if I wanted to participate again. I explained I'm actually with medical insurance now and with professional hellp so no thanks, but I appreicate the call.
Some inexperienced therapists throw their weight around by labeling others, it's really a form of intimidation--say I'm great or I'll diagnose you with something horrible. I'd bring up your concerns calmly, but if she starts to blame or deny, I'd just forget about going back and find something or someone else. You could just ask for another student therapist--just say it's not a good fit. Act like you think she's great though, in my experience most therapists and organizations don't handle criticism well.
working things out. : ) Hang in there, they'll be a good fit for you somewhere.
Her language is not DBT which can be a good tool, one that I have used and for me....it has helped me....a skill that for me has taken time to encorporate until it has become natural.
I use to say my meds were like oxygen for me, over the years I have added my thereapist!
Best wishes in your quest ~
If you can try politely talking to her about a few of the things that are making you uncomfortable (like seating arrangement, quality of dialogue etc.) she maybe grateful and try to make adjustments. (Sort of related experience: When I was new to teaching I didn't understand why some students set off by themselves w/ their backs to the wall, or others tried to stay as close to back exist as possible. I wanted everybody up close and cozy. But when I discreetly talked individually to these people I learned it wasn't about cozy, or me as a teacher, but about them trying to compensate for their own scar tissue- I was relieved and grateful to have the insight.)
If she is non receptive to your concerns, then OK, bad fit, ask for a different counselor. I liked that "not a good fit" line that was suggested.
DBT is well regarded but also fairly multi-layered and having someone to coach you in the process while you are still getting used to the system may be a big help. Once you know the drill, doing DYI workbooks may be comfortable for you.
So, my suggestion is to problem solve your current situation a little before throwing baby out w/ bath water, so to say. Just my take on it.
Best of luck, and let us know how it goes.