How can 50 minutes a week with a therapist be enough?

[Jules13]

I feel like my depression is getting worse and I can't see how only 50 minutes a week with a therpist (a great therapist) can be enough? I wonder if anyone knows any residential places in the UK that I might try for more intensive therapy?

[Midori]

I think you would have to go Private to do that, and I'm not sure how to go about it.

Cheers, Midori

[AdamFCastillo31]

Well no I guess 50 minutes or an hour wouldn't be enough for a week. i know a place where you can find professional help/counseling ezcareclinic.com/treatment-.... I am sure this will be helpful for you.

[Jules13 in reply to AdamFCastillo31]

er, sadly they are in san francisco, and I've tried online therapy before and it loses impact with me. Need a face to face unfortunately, without a screen x

[AdamFCastillo31 in reply to Jules13]

I am sorry that I cannot help further but I hope that others might find the information useful.

[Jules13 in reply to AdamFCastillo31]

Yes I'm sure they will x

[gerrerd]

Try listening to Dr Wayne Dyer programs, the best therapy you will ever need, Hayhouse online have his programs !

[Jules13 in reply to gerrerd]

As above, I really need face to face, real people x

[gerrerd in reply to Jules13]

Its the teachings wisdom, knowledge that helps not the person.

[Jules13 in reply to gerrerd]

I'm going to try the zoom calls with her. It's the only options with our Covid restrictions and hopefully it will only be for a month or so x

[gerrerd in reply to Jules13]

You can have a therapy session every day, if you get Dr Dyers progs, the best one you can get. Ray

[Blueruth]

I don't live in the UK but some ideas...If you are dealing with trauma there is a new type of therapy called Accelerated Resolution Therapy that is getting a lot of positive feedback. NIMH (US gov mental health research) has a study. It is only 3-5 sessions. The industry says it is good for depression but I didn't see a study. No idea if you can get this in UK. I believe this is the one where you can travel and do it in a week so if you can swing that it might be an option. Just pick an area with higher vaccination rates.

What about a multi prong approach? I could see doing some art therapy where you get assignments, maybe some sort of physical something that is structured an daily. Maybe there is a group you could join. The thing about traditional therapy is you may need time to process. Even 50 min can be pretty intense.

[Jules13 in reply to Blueruth]

Thats all very true. I'm doing my own homework too now, lots of reading and exploring issues. I walk every dau which is the best therapy ever. Trees don't talk back!! Ha. Thanks for reaching out. I havent heard of NIMH but will look into it x

[Blueruth in reply to Jules13]

National Institute for Mental Health. It is a US gov department so if you are in the UK that is certainly forgivable . But they are a good resource for research wherever you are. Also Canada does some good mental health research. Walking daily is great for me too. I hate stepping out when it is cold so I haven't done much lately. Plus I'm in a funk. Just holding on until the holidays are done!

[Jules13 in reply to Blueruth]

I love it when I'm cold... wrapped up in super warm layers with frost on the trees. I don't know who said it but there is a famous quote, about there being no such thing about bad weather, just inadequate clothing xxx

[Blueruth in reply to Jules13]

Sad fact…It has been 232 days of no rain in Denver. That was broken literally today! And now it is 22 f. The last record for late snow fall was in 1934 and that was 11/23. You’re right. Adequate clothing. I still lack inertia!

[Jules13 in reply to Blueruth]

It's hard I get it. But there is nothing like going for the walk and then coming back to the warmth or a long bath... the reward xx

[Blueruth in reply to Jules13]

Hot yoga gets me out! Walking in the cold not so much. Lately my nose has been getting cold which is not usually a thing. That and cold feet are my biggest pet peeves!

[Jules13 in reply to Blueruth]

OMG I have cold hands and feet ALL the time x

[CarlJames]

50 minutes a week often didn't feel like enough for me. I was always eager to move faster. But no therapists gave me that option. I think now looking back there are two reasons it can be sufficient. As Blueruth says, there is a lot to process in between sessions (much of it perhaps happening subconsciously). And second, the therapy session usually introduces one or two ideas, but the real work is what we do with those ideas in the following week incorporating them into our lives.

Recovery often takes time and can't really be hurried. But as I said, I understand your desire for more intensive therapy.

[Jules13 in reply to CarlJames]

Yes I see that now. I begged my therapist for another session a week and she said a very firm no and explained that the healing time is indeed between sessions, that I need that time to do my homework, write, reflect, and prepare for the next session. I get it now. But I was absolutely panic-stricken this morning when my therapist said she can no longer do our face to face sessions because of our new UK COVID restrictions. Everyone has to work from home again so she offered me a zoom meeting but I really struggle with those. I'm literally hysterical that I might not see her for a few months. She is the only person I talk to x

[CarlJames in reply to Jules13]

I get it. I dislike Zoom calls too. It's just not the same as face to face somehow. It sounds like she doesn't have any other option with the restrictions though. Can you for the time being accept the Zoom option? See if you can focus on the guidance she is giving you, and your intention of getting better, rather than on the discomfort of the video format.

Hope you find a way to make things work for you.

[Jules13 in reply to CarlJames]

Yes... I am having to go with the zoom. It's better than not seeing her so I will try and be open to it x