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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by All Done on January 14, 2005, at 16:18:28
I've seen a few of you mention that there is a big difference between once a week therapy and multiple sessions per week. I don't know that I'm really considering it right now simply because I don't know how I would fit it into my schedule. But my T has mentioned it a couple of times and I'm curious to hear more from all of you that have experienced both. Why is it so different? Is it better, more helpful, or do you think it can be too overwhelming at times? (I imagine you might say yes to that last question ;).)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Laurie
Posted by annierose on January 14, 2005, at 16:34:04
In reply to Once a week therapy or more?, posted by All Done on January 14, 2005, at 16:18:28
I normally go 2x per week, but have been going 3x per week for 2 months now. Yes, there is a huge difference. For me, it's more intimate. It's less about what happened during the week, more about your inner painful feelings. Even going from 2 to 3 times a week, I can feel the difference. More intense, more focused. And more relief. I don't feel I need to hold onto my feelings as much, as I know I will see her in a matter of days. Finally, it's so expensive :(
That, for me, is my biggest consideration. I know I cannot afford 3x per week for long. But I don't want to give it up just yet.
Posted by All Done on January 14, 2005, at 17:02:43
In reply to Re: Once a week therapy or more? » All Done, posted by annierose on January 14, 2005, at 16:34:04
> it's more intimate. It's less about what happened during the week, more about your inner painful feelings. Even going from 2 to 3 times a week, I can feel the difference. More intense, more focused. And more relief. I don't feel I need to hold onto my feelings as much, as I know I will see her in a matter of days.
I would love to forget about talking about the day to day stuff. I feel like that has changed a bit for me recently and we are getting into some deeper stuff, but there's still an urge to tell him what happened yesterday or whatever. And I hate having to hold onto my feelings like you mentioned. By the time my next appointment rolls around, the important feelings just don't seem so important anymore :(.
Thanks for your post, annierose!
Posted by Dinah on January 14, 2005, at 17:44:09
In reply to Once a week therapy or more?, posted by All Done on January 14, 2005, at 16:18:28
It is a *completely* different experience. There's very little catching up on what's going on, there's way more continuity of content. I walk in and usually start off where we left off last time. While when I go in once a week, I go in and tell him how I'm doing, what happened, etc. As Annierose said, it's way more intimate.
It's like the difference between casual dating and going steady. At least. :)
Posted by cubic_me on January 15, 2005, at 5:57:01
In reply to Once a week therapy or more?, posted by All Done on January 14, 2005, at 16:18:28
My T said that she would have liked to have seem me more than once a week, but the center she's at doesn't allow it. It's a shame, because I think I would have progressed much more quickly. I had so much to say, and not enough time. I used to write lists of things I wanted to talk about, there would sometimes be 30 or 40 points, so I just disregarded more than half and never talked about them.
At least with 2 or 3x a week therapy I'd be able to remember what I talked about in the previous session :)
Posted by messadivoce on January 16, 2005, at 23:12:30
In reply to Re: Once a week therapy or more? » All Done, posted by cubic_me on January 15, 2005, at 5:57:01
After 2.5 months of once-a-week therapy, I went twice a week for 3 months. It was really intense but I have to say it really helped for awhile to have such constant support. It was nice to be able to start something on Wednesday and know we would finish it Friday and I wouldn't have to carry it for a whole week. It really makes a deep impact on the rest of your week though...can be stressful and helpful at the same time.
Posted by All Done on January 17, 2005, at 2:52:29
In reply to Re: Once a week therapy or more? » All Done, posted by Dinah on January 14, 2005, at 17:44:09
> It is a *completely* different experience. There's very little catching up on what's going on, there's way more continuity of content. I walk in and usually start off where we left off last time.
Do you think it's possible to have this in once a week therapy? I feel like it's been a little better for me lately. We've been able to connect more from week to week, but I definitely don't feel like I'm just starting where we left off.
Posted by All Done on January 17, 2005, at 2:59:05
In reply to Re: Once a week therapy or more? » All Done, posted by cubic_me on January 15, 2005, at 5:57:01
> I used to write lists of things I wanted to talk about, there would sometimes be 30 or 40 points, so I just disregarded more than half and never talked about them.
Hi, cubic!
I don't usually write things down, but I know I always have a lot I think I want to talk about in the next session. I only hope that when the actual appointment rolls around, the stuff that comes out of my mouth is the "important" stuff.
Nice to hear from you :)!
Laurie
Posted by All Done on January 17, 2005, at 3:09:34
In reply to Re: Once a week therapy or more?, posted by messadivoce on January 16, 2005, at 23:12:30
> After 2.5 months of once-a-week therapy, I went twice a week for 3 months. It was really intense but I have to say it really helped for awhile to have such constant support. It was nice to be able to start something on Wednesday and know we would finish it Friday and I wouldn't have to carry it for a whole week. It really makes a deep impact on the rest of your week though...can be stressful and helpful at the same time.
>
>I can only imagine what it might or could do to the rest of your week. Lately, I've been really wanting some contact during the week and since I never call my T, it weighs on my mind a lot. Maybe if I saw him more than once a week it would be trading one intensity for another? (Sorry, just thinking out loud...)
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Take care,
Laurie
Posted by Fallen4MyT on January 17, 2005, at 16:07:18
In reply to Once a week therapy or more?, posted by All Done on January 14, 2005, at 16:18:28
Wo how did I miss this...I saw my T once a week then hit a really really bad spell and move to 2 times a week..cash wise it can kill you but it helped me as I was able to go and keep a basic continuity in my sessions and resolve things a tad easier
> I've seen a few of you mention that there is a big difference between once a week therapy and multiple sessions per week. I don't know that I'm really considering it right now simply because I don't know how I would fit it into my schedule. But my T has mentioned it a couple of times and I'm curious to hear more from all of you that have experienced both. Why is it so different? Is it better, more helpful, or do you think it can be too overwhelming at times? (I imagine you might say yes to that last question ;).)
>
> Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
>
> Laurie
Posted by All Done on January 19, 2005, at 0:16:57
In reply to Re: Once a week therapy or more? » All Done, posted by Fallen4MyT on January 17, 2005, at 16:07:18
> Wo how did I miss this...I saw my T once a week then hit a really really bad spell and move to 2 times a week..cash wise it can kill you but it helped me as I was able to go and keep a basic continuity in my sessions and resolve things a tad easier
I'm glad that worked out for you, Fallen :). Fortunately, I feel like I'm doing alright right now, but I guess that makes me wonder even more why I am thinking about additional sessions. From everyone's response, it doesn't sound like a bad thing. Sounds like it could be pretty productive. Sigh...if only there was more time in the day :(.
Thanks for your response!
Take care,
Laurie
Posted by Fallen4MyT on January 19, 2005, at 2:13:15
In reply to Re: Once a week therapy or more? » Fallen4MyT, posted by All Done on January 19, 2005, at 0:16:57
You could do like 1 week 1 session the next week 2....like a compromise of sorts :)
> > Wo how did I miss this...I saw my T once a week then hit a really really bad spell and move to 2 times a week..cash wise it can kill you but it helped me as I was able to go and keep a basic continuity in my sessions and resolve things a tad easier
>
> I'm glad that worked out for you, Fallen :). Fortunately, I feel like I'm doing alright right now, but I guess that makes me wonder even more why I am thinking about additional sessions. From everyone's response, it doesn't sound like a bad thing. Sounds like it could be pretty productive. Sigh...if only there was more time in the day :(.
>
> Thanks for your response!
>
> Take care,
> Laurie
Posted by Dinah on January 19, 2005, at 16:00:01
In reply to Re: Once a week therapy or more? » All Done, posted by Fallen4MyT on January 19, 2005, at 2:13:15
That's the compromise my therapist suggested, back when I was thinking of cutting back. Mon Fri one week, Wed the next.
How's it working? Does it keep continuity?
Posted by Fallen4MyT on January 19, 2005, at 16:06:55
In reply to Re: Once a week therapy or more? » Fallen4MyT, posted by Dinah on January 19, 2005, at 16:00:01
> That's the compromise my therapist suggested, back when I was thinking of cutting back. Mon Fri one week, Wed the next.
>
> How's it working? Does it keep continuity?Lol I dunno Dinah I was just offering a suggestion cause it seemed like a good middle ground for her....would be good I would think.
This is the end of the thread.
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