tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795191973728869942.post8257115040657395774..comments2023-02-17T17:13:57.768-08:00Comments on Schizophrenia And Art: Last Night's ConfessionKaren May Sorensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14436905322393073250noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795191973728869942.post-87911542975669721332011-03-02T11:07:30.302-08:002011-03-02T11:07:30.302-08:00Hi Karen,
I just wanted to let you know you are ...Hi Karen, <br /><br />I just wanted to let you know you are the recipient of an "I Choose to Live" Award from my blog. It is something I give out to blogs I come across or ones that are recommended to me by people who have thought about or attempted suicide at some point, but choose to live despite mental illness. I found your blog through Kate. If you go to this page, you can copy the graphic at the top of the page and put it on your blog if you would like to. There is a description of your blog there too:<br />http://www.suicidalnomore.com/p/i-choose-to-live-awards.htmlFeminist Voice with Disabilitieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04971702402040080054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795191973728869942.post-49446841496734344192011-03-02T10:32:43.395-08:002011-03-02T10:32:43.395-08:00Karen, I am new to your blog, but it does sound to...Karen, I am new to your blog, but it does sound to me like your therapist is crossing appropriate boundaries by saying, "I love you" to a client. They really are not supposed to do that. However, I think you are right in assuming perhaps the therapist is having his own mental health problems. Like Kate said, though, it's not your job to take care of your therapist or worry about his mental health.<br /><br />If I were you, I would consider how much I liked talking to this therapist and how helpful it was compared to how uncomfortable he made me feel. If he makes you uncomfortable, he's probably not the best therapist for you. There are many therapists out there. However, as far as paying for them with Medicare that is actually a problem because like your friends told you, Medicare doesn't cover the entire cost for therapy with most people. <br /><br />The route I take to get therapy with Medicare is that I go to the local community mental health center. There, they do not bill me for the costs that Medicare won't pay. They simply bill Medicare. Private practice therapists don't usually do that; they generally charge you for the portion that Medicare won't pay, at least as far as I know.<br /><br />If you have a community mental health center near you, that might be a good place to go if you decide to look for a different therapist. If you have Medicare, you can go to one of those. Sometimes there is a waiting list to get in; that is one drawback.<br /><br />I hope you figure out what to do about the therapist, and definitely keep in mind that they do have professional boundaries they are not supposed to cross, so if he does anything else inappropriate, it would probably make sense to look for someone else.<br /><br />By the way, I like your blog!Feminist Voice with Disabilitieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04971702402040080054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4795191973728869942.post-16840300702256546642011-02-26T09:11:59.475-08:002011-02-26T09:11:59.475-08:00Dear Karen,
I'm sorry I haven't been arou...Dear Karen,<br /><br />I'm sorry I haven't been around lately. I've been struggling a bit with depression, anxiety and the voices. I asked my psychiatrist if the voices would ever go away and he said quite simply -- No, that he knew of people in their 90s who still hear voices. That was rather depressing. Then my therapist, who was concerned because my voices had been acting up as I re-read some older journals, said that I could go back into acute psychosis even while I took my medications and continued with therapy. More depressing thoughts...<br /><br />I've had the same therapist since I first got ill in 1998 and she has been very helpful to me, but she definitely sets boundaries which I respect. I realize that being a therapist you have to be very careful not to get too personal because actually both therapist and patient are in a vulnerable position. I have had the wish that she could be my friend, but really she is not and probably never will be, even if I stopped therapy with her. All this distance acts as a safeguard by taking pressure off both of us. It's not a perfect relationship, but it is a good one. For 50 minutes every other week I have her complete attention and I know she cares too. <br /><br />Then again your therapist has helped you greatly by curbing your suicidal thoughts and instincts. No one is perfect and he sounds like he has a good heart and means well. Just continue to be cautious. It is not your responsibility to take care of your therapist, he needs to learn how to to that for himself. <br /><br />You are a good woman Karen to be so concerned for him, but you must take care of yourself and your needs first and foremost. <br /><br />It may not be appropriate for a therapist to say "I Love You." but I do think it is fine for friends to express deep affection and so I will continue to say to you,<br /><br />All my Love,<br /><br />Kate : )Wandererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16550316119497369344noreply@blogger.com