Posted by DaisyM on February 20, 2004, at 14:42:36
In reply to Yuck.. what a horrid few days, posted by Karen_kay on February 20, 2004, at 13:49:09
Karen,
I am so sorry. I read your post twice because, I simply can not believe they are FORCING you to accept group instead of individual. I should say right here that I'm touchy about this today.Why? Because, unbelievably, I had a conversation yesterday about group therapy with my own Therapist. I had a bizarre dream in which someone handed my Therapist a note that said I had breast-cancer (I don't) and now needed a different kind of therapy so he could no longer treat me. Short dream. Long conversation about it's meaning. We decided that I was still worried about him not being able to handle all this ugly stuff and I thought he would ultimately terminate me. He asked me if I thought I needed something different than what he was doing, like a woman Therapist, or a group. I said no, I knew the books all recommend groups because of the support, etc. but I didn't see myself ever comfortable in that environment. He agreed and said he would be surprised if I ever asked for that kind of a referral. I also made it clear that I did not think I was missing anything by not having a female Therapist. But I asked him if he thought I needed a change - based on his interpretation of the dream. But the more he talked about the pros and cons of group therapy, the more I floated away, until I absolutely couldn't follow him, I had stopped hearing. And then when he talked about changing, well, it was a bad scene. I left upset, ended up in tears later with him trying to sort it all out.
I finally heard him say he did not ever say that he wanted me to have a new Therapist, he did not want me to have additional services and he was not mad that I didn't want these things. We were talking about the dream. But that I should remember that changes we make are MY CHOICE, based on what is best for me.
This is a really long way to make my point I guess, it just touches such a raw nerve for me today. Groups can be helpful and wonderful, from what I've read, especially if everyone in the group is working on the same things. But you need to be ready for it. I hate the idea that you have to give up something to get this thing you aren't even sure you want!
Can you call your insurance company and ask if it is true that you have to switch to group? Or maybe talk about it over the next few sessions.
I'm worried about you. Don't do anything "rash" just stand up for your rights. You are the consumer here!
(((Karen)))
(I didn't mean to make this about me...such a raw nerve...)
poster:DaisyM
thread:316090
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040218/msgs/316106.html