Not Coping

Oh, sorry, I meant for myself. Is that what you meant for me to do to look for a new fan?

I had a chat with KHL, so that was good just went over how some of the things on Monday weren't as helpful, and I probably should have said I didn't feel safe as after we talked, I broke down even more. She will make a crisis management plan if I am in a bad place and she isn't working. So I can talk to someone and get the support I need.

I also have my first psychology session tomorrow. Got any tips for me? Hahaha @tyme

I hope you have a good sleep @creative_writer. Don't worry about it you do what is best for you.

Yes yes... as a distraction, do your 'fan' research @Birdofparadise8 . Otherwise, have a go with connecting on some other parts of the forum to get to know more of your forums family?

It was good you spoke to someone on KHL.

As your your first psych appointment, be gentle with yourself. You can't expect everything to be done in one session. Rather than go in to just share everything, consider what you want to gain from this psych appointment. Perhaps let the offloading be for one service, while you work with skills with your psych?

Thoughts?

Mmm, maybe I'll have a look around. I don't want to intrude on anyone's conversations.

Right, okay, so what your saying is maybe used KHL for the venting and stuff for the in the moment issues and save the time with the psych to like work on those issues.

Is that what you're saying @tyme

Precisely @Birdofparadise8 ,

I found this to be most helpful to me when I had several supports in place. Otherwise it was tiring to go over the same thing every time. If you DO discuss the same incident, each one can take a different perspective e.g. KHL for the immediate here and now off loading, SANE for counselling and working on CBT, and psych on DBT or something like that. Yes, they all interrelate, but it means you go into each session with different goals and different expectations.

That's what I used to do.

Okay, interesting I will have a think about it. Would that be something to bring up with the psych tomorrow and see what her thoughts are?

It can be a mixed bag when you say the same thing to different people, though. I know for myself that sometimes saying it again a couple of times is good as it gets it all out of my system. Also, having goals for each support network is good.

Such as with KHL, I will be working with the counsellor on crisis management.

SANE GS is more of a general talk about MH and what has been happening, and sometimes, we have gone into safety planning also there.

The psych, though not quite sure I will need to think about it. Maybe like you said, for DBT or getting more skills to help support me @tyme.

Definitely sounds like a good plan of attack @Birdofparadise8 .

It doesn't mean you can't talk about it to all three, but ensure you have a goal for each session.

Treat the sessions as limited and valuable.

For me, I made myself get something out of it.

You could even share it in your own thread here as a way of documenting your journey.

You could also consider how you want to utilise your time on the forums. Is it for venting? is it for connecting? is it to feel a sense of belonging? This will then guide your interactions.

Yeah okay @tyme

Probably a bit of everything, lol.

If it's not too personal, you don't have to say anything. Do you still go to see a psychologist at all? You mentioned a couple of times about the past, that's all. Please don't say if you don't want to. I was just curious.

I see my psychologist as soon as I have the time! I've been waiting to see him. Not for anything I need, but just to update him with how I'm going in life. He's seen me through my toughest times, so I want to keep engaging with him.

I followed him from my area mental health as my case manager, to his private practice.

I really get along with him. It wasn't always like that though. I ignored him at first and we didn't get along. Then a third party contacted him, and gave him a bit of background. So then we connected and it's been that way since.

I want to see him every week if I could. I learn so much from him. But he only works in private practice one day a week, and I can't make that day unless I take a whole day off work.

Long story short, yes, I do see a psychologist (sort of) for maintenance sessions @Birdofparadise8