Thanks everyone for all your answers to my questions. I have a few more so hoping you can help.
My history: I'd done 5 years of CBT with a Psychotherapist from 2003-2008 and had hugely positive results. I believe now that that work is what has kept me from developing a personality disorder myself, and helped me keep a job, my marriage and keep a binge-eating disorder at bay. I had two kids in 2011 and 2013 and then my mother, my chief abuser, passed away in 2013. Shortly after her death, I started writing again - something I'd given up mostly as a result of the abuse I'd endured my entire life. Very quickly my writing started delving into my past.
Early 2016 I started binge-eating again and very soon found that even food wasn't numbing me. I don't know how to explain it other than to say that I just feel sad all the time, find it difficult to cry, and have a lot of trouble starting or completing work at work. I realized something wasn't right with me and I did some counselling through my workplace EAP. I went on a diet and lost 20 lbs but during that time my feelings of sadness were overwhelming. I slowly started medicating with food again and have gained back 10 lbs. I've decided to put that on the back-burner for now.
After I reached the max with my counsellor, I found a Psychologist who suggested EMDR after an initial consult. She says that because of all the work I'd already done EMDR would work very well. We've had 2 1-hour "intro" sessions so far where her goal is to get to know me and identify some main memories. We are going to do one more and then get started with the EMDR. She only does EMDR as double sessions (100 minute appointments) so that she can help me through whatever comes as a result of the EMDR.
My questions/concerns:
1) I have been dragging my heels with this for a long time. I'd like to heal but I am honestly afraid of what could happen once I open these festering wounds up.
2) I work full-time, have two small kids, and am in school part-time. Should I wait to go gangbusters into this when I have a break (in December)?
3) I have very limited benefits that can pay for this. I was originally planning to have one double-session a month to stretch it out, but I am reading that doing them for long sessions twice a month (weekly at most) would be best. What is everyone's experience?
4) My therapist seems to have a lot of experience with EMDR. What other kinds of questions should I ask her? I generally feel comfortable with her.
Also, I didn't change my handle as its not my name anyway. But, thank you so much to those of you who rightly advised me to change it and told me how to. I really appreciate that.
Thank you!
My history: I'd done 5 years of CBT with a Psychotherapist from 2003-2008 and had hugely positive results. I believe now that that work is what has kept me from developing a personality disorder myself, and helped me keep a job, my marriage and keep a binge-eating disorder at bay. I had two kids in 2011 and 2013 and then my mother, my chief abuser, passed away in 2013. Shortly after her death, I started writing again - something I'd given up mostly as a result of the abuse I'd endured my entire life. Very quickly my writing started delving into my past.
Early 2016 I started binge-eating again and very soon found that even food wasn't numbing me. I don't know how to explain it other than to say that I just feel sad all the time, find it difficult to cry, and have a lot of trouble starting or completing work at work. I realized something wasn't right with me and I did some counselling through my workplace EAP. I went on a diet and lost 20 lbs but during that time my feelings of sadness were overwhelming. I slowly started medicating with food again and have gained back 10 lbs. I've decided to put that on the back-burner for now.
After I reached the max with my counsellor, I found a Psychologist who suggested EMDR after an initial consult. She says that because of all the work I'd already done EMDR would work very well. We've had 2 1-hour "intro" sessions so far where her goal is to get to know me and identify some main memories. We are going to do one more and then get started with the EMDR. She only does EMDR as double sessions (100 minute appointments) so that she can help me through whatever comes as a result of the EMDR.
My questions/concerns:
1) I have been dragging my heels with this for a long time. I'd like to heal but I am honestly afraid of what could happen once I open these festering wounds up.
2) I work full-time, have two small kids, and am in school part-time. Should I wait to go gangbusters into this when I have a break (in December)?
3) I have very limited benefits that can pay for this. I was originally planning to have one double-session a month to stretch it out, but I am reading that doing them for long sessions twice a month (weekly at most) would be best. What is everyone's experience?
4) My therapist seems to have a lot of experience with EMDR. What other kinds of questions should I ask her? I generally feel comfortable with her.
Also, I didn't change my handle as its not my name anyway. But, thank you so much to those of you who rightly advised me to change it and told me how to. I really appreciate that.
Thank you!
