w
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Post by w on May 16, 2014 23:05:20 GMT
I've been going to talking therapy every week and did an intense ten week CBT course a little while ago, but I can't really see any noticeable difference in my mental health. Yesterday I was badly triggered and practically had a meltdown. I don't even know if I have PTSD from the abuse, I feel like what happened wasn't really enough even though I exhibit a lot of the symptoms. Does anyone know of any alternative therapies I can try out? At the end of my rope :/
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janine
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Post by janine on May 17, 2014 0:07:20 GMT
Hey W,
I wonder if your therapist is specialized/experienced with trauma caused by DV? If not, then maybe changing your therapist could be one way to go at this. I do have to say it took me a few months to really feel better too- but at the same time finding the right therapist can be half the race.
How long have you been seeing your current one if I may ask?
Hang in there....it does take time and a lot of healing- active and passive. Sometimes I had to sit with my flashbacks and pain and memories and just see them pass through...and then knowing they would pass.
I too did CBT and it helped- I can also HIGHLY recommend you to talk to your therapist about "Guided Imagery" Therapy. One great resource here is the book "Invisible Heroes" by Belleruth Naparstek and I can absolutely recommend you to download her "Trauma Recovery" MP3 Guided Imagery from her website.
(she has a lot of those there but to start with the trauma one really does the job!!!) I would not recommend this to someone who is not going to a regular therapist as well as it is healing but id like you to have a professional to reflect on with this as well- so you seem to be already in the right position to try it out.
The MP3 file and book are rather cheap- i believe its something like 10 dollars for the MP3 and the book for KIndle would be 9 dollars or so here in the US.
Also- sometimes it helped me to...just BE. Start a new hobby that took my mind off ( I began scuba diving) and horse back riding and all of those things can be very very therapeutic....maybe if your budget allows that, look into those? Maybe something you loved as a child and gave up - but the thought of it feels right?
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w
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Post by w on May 17, 2014 18:00:57 GMT
Thanks for your reply! I will definitely look into those books/MP3's. I do a lot of crafting and such but am thinking of taking up some kind of martial arts (mostly for my confidence). My therapist said on her website that she has experience with trauma, but I don't think she specialises. Having the right therapist is so important. I've been seeing her for just over six months. Its not that I haven't seen improvement, its just its really, really slow. I am impatient, but I had hoped to make more progress by now!
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janine
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Post by janine on May 18, 2014 2:48:31 GMT
Yeah I can see how you would feel by now that maybe someone else can help you better to complete your healing if after 6 months not much has changed significantly. It is a tough call nobody else but your inner gut can decide- maybe waiting some more might help, maybe changing the therapist sooner could be a good idea. I have also heard of people who continued to see their one therapist but tried a new one out as well to "check out the menu" -- but unless your health insurance covers that it might be too costly for some people. In my case I really just lucked out- my counselor was specialized in DV abd trauma and she even went on to specialize completely on trauma patients in the war veterans sector. She was also the one introducing me to Belleruth Naparstek and Guided Imagery therapy- but we did a lot of the "regular talk therapy"-- I love to read so she did recommend me a lot of books like the classic Judith Hermann "Trauma and Recovery" for example and "The gift of fear" by Gavin deBecker. She also walked me gently through my most traumatic moments- and I felt very safe with her- even having some strong physical reactions in her office while reliving those moments. All in all I saw her for probably 7- 8 months but felt really right away that each time I walked away "lighter" Sometimes a therapist may not even be "bad" as such but just not an ideal fit. I researched a lot of things beforehand to see how I would know it helps, maybe this list helps you too: www.goodtherapy.org/blog/warning-signs-of-bad-therapy/Sadly some people end up with therapists that are just adding to the trauma- a friend of mine just told me tonight actually about a very bad experience with a therapist herself. That is too bad as good counseling can be such a lifeline and sometimes it takes just changing the therapist to see "it was NOT our fault" if it didnt seem to work.
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Post by Finally free on May 19, 2014 21:05:40 GMT
Hi, I think sometimes you just have to 'find' the right therapist, it can take time, hang in there
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