Tag Archives: Therapist

Getting Ready For The Day

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! As I sit here writing this post at my laptop, I am figuring out what I need to for the day as I see my therapist. I want to make sure I take what I need on things I want to show him as well as discuss with him. He appreciates when I bring things in to discuss. An example or two is art work, poetry and even my scrap book. Showing him these things brings on conversations. Conversations that helps my therapist get to know me better as he is still new to me. Conversations that also bring out things that I need discuss and that is important in my recovery. One thing we will be discussing for sure is my depression. Depression that appears to want to go away but still sticking around.

I am not sure what I am going to do after my therapy appointment. That is yet to be determined but I have some idea’s. Ideas I have is come home and just chill. While another idea is to hang out with friends. I like the idea of coming home and hanging out with my cat but that means I will be isolating. Isolation is never good for me.  I think I might go to a peer run group at a peer run agency that is fully funded by grants.

I should get going and eat breakfast. Have a great day. Thank you for reading. Peace Out, World!!!

Here Is To A Good Monday

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! It is yet another Monday. Monday’s are days that many folks around the world dread because it is the start of the work week. I for one dread it for other reasons. Reason’s I would really not discuss at the moment.

Today, I don’t have much to dread at I have a job interview at my previous employer. I am looking forward to it. I am looking forward to it for a multitude of reasons. Reasons that I can not share due to HIPPA laws. One reason I can share is that I am looking forward to looking forward to seeing some former colleagues. Colleagues that I have become friends with.

After my job interview, I plan on going to Art Group. Art group helps me express myself when words tend to fail me. In fact my therapist is going to try to make it to art group to be a co-facilitator of the group. I personally think he would be good at it.

Here is to a good Monday everyone!!! Peace Out, World!!!

A Full & Busy Friday (Late Post)

Posted on by Gertie

Good Saturday Morning, World!!! This post is a day late as I wanted it to post it yesterday. I went to my doctor’s appointment yesterday morning. We had a heart to heart discussion about my suicide attempt late last week. We discussed a safety plan and called my therapist who was surprisingly available to answer his phone. So the three of us discussed the safety plan and the fear I had on stricter med moderating. My therapist informed me that it will need to be a discussion that need to be continued. He did think the ideas my doctor and I cam up with were great idea’s.

I also went to my Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) group. It is going to be challenging as we will be doing chain analysis but I am looking forward to doing this. Other members don’t want to do it has “its too hard” and it is but I am all for being accountable to my behavior. One person is thinking about dropping out because “its getting too hard.” I look at if this way if you don’t do something difficult that you won’t be able to grow as person.

Thanks you for reading. Have a good weekend. Peace Out, World!!!!

Good Morning, World

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! I got some sleep last night and woke up on this god awful hour because Lil Gertie woke me up form a nightmare. She woke me up with a like on the nose. With her waking me up from the worst part of the nightmare from happening she has done her job and I didn’t have to train her to do that.

I have quite a lot planned today. First I go see my doctor a ten this morning. I am looking forward to seeing her as she has been my doctor for nine years. She is going to do a check up after the attempt to take my own life last week. My doctor is awesome.

I will all so be starting Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) back up today. I am looking forward to this as it gives me the structure and skills I need to help myself. I love being able to help myself with the skills I know how to do has well as the ones I will be learning.

I emailed my therapist about the PTSD stuff and how Lil Gertie has been helpful for me. I attempt to only email him when I think he needs to know something soon. As someone who worked in the mental health field I know from experience that I am more likely respond to an email verses a voicemail.

Thank you for reading. Peace Out, World!!!

 

 

Cat Therapy = Waiting For My Therapist

Posted on by Gertie

Hello, World!!! I have been so high anxiety that my therapist is coming to see me later on today. He is an amazing therapist. Part of the reason he is coming is the anxiety but the other is to meet my cat. Yes, he will have another clinician with him which is I think an awesome idea for ethical reasons. In fact he asked if his supervisor could come because she wants to meet Lil Gertie as well. They are also coming to make sure I am keeping my apartment clean which I am doing.

Lil Gertie has be quite helpful for me in regards to my Anxiety and PTSD symptoms. Its like she has a sixth sense of knowing when I am having and flashback and body memory. She comes up to me and snuggles with me. She woke me up from a nightmare by licking my nose. So she is very aware of what is going on with the PTSD side of things. I love Lil Gertie so much.  She knows when to help me.

Thanks so much for reading. It means a great deal to me. Have a great day to everyone of you. Peace Out, World!!!

As Depression Strikes; Star Wars Comes to the Rescue

Posted on by Gertie

Good Afternoon, World!!! I am struggling with depression just like I have been for what seems like forever. Anyway, I have been relying a great deal on reading lately and I am thrilled that I am able to concentrate enough on it.

Depression has been kicking my ass today as some of you may have read in earlier post. Kicking my ass enough that I am planning on reading my Star Wars books. It is an extremely easy read or at least that is my opinion.

My therapist says that reading appears to be of help to me lately. He is an avid reader as well and “enjoys” fantasy and science fiction like I do. He has even read the Star War series I am reading now.

I should get going and eat as it is late afternoon and I skipped lunch. Have an awesome evening and peace out, world!!!

Anxiety That Won’t Go Away

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! As I mentioned in an earlier post I didn’t see my therapist today for our session due to anxiety. We did reschedule our appointment for Thursday. He has checked up on me twice today to make I am doing okay. Yes, I am doing okay. Or better than I was.

Better than I was earlier especially since my budget is better than I thought it was going to be. I forgot to include my tax refund I got in my budget.

Even though I had anxiety over my budget my therapist and I figured out that I was having anxiety due to PTSD symptoms. Symptoms that don’t help with my general anxiety symptoms. Symptoms I wish were subsiding but they are not so much.

Thank you so much for reading. Peace Out, World!!!

Daily Check-Ins + Homework = Good Therapist

Posted on by Gertie

Good Afternoon, World!!! My therapist checked in with me to see how I am doing after my self harm act last night. He is now putting me on daily check ins as a precaution. They don’t have to be in person but he is concerned about me and rightfully so.

Besides the daily check-ins he will be giving me daily assignments to do. So we will be discussing my assignments in our regular sessions. Which I am planning on doing. One of the assignments he wants me to do is paint a picture of how I am feeling today. He also want me to write a paper on it as well. I like this type of homework.

My therapist wants me to use the skill’s that I do on the normal basis as part of my homework. Like the painting and the writing . I am looking forward to doing this .

Thank  you for reading my weird blog right now. Peace Out, World!!!

More Ramblings From Me, Gertie

Posted on by Gertie

Hello, World!!! The workshop I was suppose to attend got cancelled. I am okay with that as I was able to do something else. I was still able to have lunch with my friend and hang out with her for an hour. It was good company to be with a fellow peer who has a Masters in Social Work. (MSW). My friend thinks I would make a great social worker and would love me to get my education. Hell, I would love me to get my education. My friend and I discussed a great deal on on how Peer Support and Social Work have a lot in common.

Speaking of social work, my therapist is a social worker. We did our fifteen minute check in over the phone today. We discussed the disappointment I had with the workshop being cancelled. We also talked about the joy I had spending time with my friend. Before we ended our conversation we talked about what I was going to do for the weekend. I informed my therapist that I would most likely be working on one of my workbooks. He asked which one and I said probably the three that I am currently working on. I informed him I’ll try to do a chapter in all of them and that one of them is almost done and if I finish before my session with him on Tuesday that I would like to discuss it with him. He likes the idea of discussing the workbooks I do.

I think I am going to do a painting for my friend as she requested me to do one for her. She doesn’t care of what. She is going to be paying me for it which I told her she didn’t need to do so.

After painting, I think I am going to read. I love reading as it helps me a great deal.

Thanks for reading. Happy Friday. Peace Out, World!!!

Thankfully, Not Hospitalized

Posted on by Gertie

Hello, World!!! There was an hour or two where I thought I could be hospitalized due to hitting a brick wall with my hand and thankfully it is NOT going to happen. Everyone was in agreement with me that the hospital would not be beneficial to me this time around. So, with everyone in agreement, I am not going to be admitted to the hospital.

My therapist and I discussed my self harm actions this morning and did what is called a chain analysis. If you’re familiar with Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) then you know what I am talking about. It is hard for me to describe what one is but it is extremely helpful. My therapist and I also discussed my family. Specifically, my parents and their addictions to drug and alcohol. My dad is in active recovery while my mom is not in recovery whatsoever. We talked about how I learned from their mistakes and chose not to drink or use drugs. I told my therapist that I don’t need more issues on top of the ones I already have.

I’ll write more later. I am just really tired and in pain from hitting a brick wall. Thank you so very much for reading. It is very much appreciated. Peace Out, World!!!