[East17]

My EMDR therapy stopped on 18th January because Psychologist felt I wasn't in a safe enough place to continue at the moment (I do have option to go back at later date).
CPN has cut contact to once a month.
Counsellor unexpectedly unavailable since 11th February and I don't have a date when she will be back at work again (she will let me know though).

My job came to an end in December so I no longer have that as a distraction (I really miss my colleagues!)
Mum is now very ill in hospital.... My head is all over the place and I feel like I'm in meltdown.
I don't feel able to start over again with someone new, but I do need help.

[Anne2.0]

I am sorry that all these things have brought together such stress and no wonder things feel like hell.

I've switched therapists once when I really didn't want to, and I found it was easy to pick up where I left off. You, as the client, are the one who does the work and the therapist is the accompanist. It might be helpful for you to reach out to others just to see if there is someone you feel you can work with.

I also saw another therapist for a few sessions when my T was out after surgery for a few months. That was actually okay too. It wasn't starting over at all, and I was surprised at how quickly she could just pick up on what I needed help with. It was interesting to explore what it was like to connect to someone who was very different than my own therapist.

[guilloche]

*hugs* You're dealing with a lot... I'm sorry, I think any of us would be going a bit nuts trying to handle all of that.

Is the psychologist able to off any sessions at all that are not EMDR based? Even if not ongoing, a couple sessions with someone you know and trust might be helpful?

[East17]

Originally Posted by guilloche

*hugs* You're dealing with a lot... I'm sorry, I think any of us would be going a bit nuts trying to handle all of that.

Is the psychologist able to off any sessions at all that are not EMDR based? Even if not ongoing, a couple sessions with someone you know and trust might be helpful?

Unfortunately not..... the service is on the NHS and she is the only Psychologist who does EMDR serving the whole region and works only part time, there just isn't enough of her to provide psychological help outside of the very narrow framework in place. As always, demand outstrips capacity.

[guilloche]

Originally Posted by East17

Unfortunately not..... the service is on the NHS and she is the only Psychologist who does EMDR serving the whole region and works only part time, there just isn't enough of her to provide psychological help outside of the very narrow framework in place. As always, demand outstrips capacity.

I'm so sorry, that's a really rough situation. Understandable, but really unfortunate.

I really hope your counselor returns soon. I can totally understand not wanting to deal with someone new. Do you think if you did talk to a new counselor, that they might be able to provide enough support to help with the current, day-to-day stuff - maybe without diving into the more difficult, past stuff?

That would be the approach I'd take, because for me, the past stuff is much harder to talk about and requires that trusting relationship. Current stuff seems a bit more immediate, and maybe doesn't need quite as much trust and safety to get into?

I'm just thinking through it, not trying to tell you what you should/shouldn't do.

Lots of hugs... please take care of yourself!