Posted by likelife on February 3, 2003, at 23:21:08
In reply to suicide contracts, posted by judy1 on February 2, 2003, at 16:26:16
Contracts have and haven't helped me. When I first entered therapy with a new therapist, she had me sign a contract the first day, and I mostly did so so that she would agree to work with me. My depression proved a little too vicious though, and I made an attempt shortly after.
Once I had started seeing the same therapist more regularly, she didn't force me to have an ongoing contract, but has twice asked me when she was quite concerned whether I could contract for safety. Not wanting to lie, I told her no (there have also been other times when I've said yes), and was subsequently hospitalized. Something I was angry about at the time, but do not regret now. Building a relationship with my therapist first was important for me to be able to take somthing like a contract seriously.
poster:likelife
thread:2438
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030203/msgs/2469.html