Time for therapy......for ME

Andi C · October 25

After participating in many support groups and hearing how many caregivers have gone in to therapy, I asked them a few questions and asked if therapy had been helpful. The overwhelming response was YES! They don't know what they would do without a therapist. My husband has mild to moderate dementia, but the bigger problem for me is his daughter and exwife that have given me more grief than anyone else. They aren't supportive, they degrade me (we've been married 23 years so you think they would be over it) and all their worries are about themselves, me, me, me. I start with the therapist Tuesday and I can't wait, someone I can talk to without judgement and willing to work WITH me to help with my severe anxiety and depression. I am so longing to listen to someone to help support a caregiver during this hard journey.

Ed's mom · October 26

I have a therapist who is mine. Listens to me on Zoom for one hour every Monday and it's the best thing I have ever done for myself. Try it. You can keep going or stop, you decide.

RMremdler · October 26

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/77427/time-for-therapy-for-me

Good for you! I am in the process of finding similar counseling resources as a caregiver. I want to cry and scream all at once. I don’t want to dump on my friends or family.

brupt30 · October 26

I have been seeing a therapist for the past few years and she has been very helpful in releasing my long-buried thoughts and giving me tools to process my emotions. She introduced some new perspectives which allow me to take better care of myself. I have to say that it may take a few tries to find the right therapist - the first one that I saw was barely listening and simply told me to improve my time management skills!

JC5 · October 26

I’ve been thinking of looking for a therapist as well but don’t know where to go for help . Are there therapists that are trained to help caregivers? I’m clueless .

Lethe · October 26

I found my therapist though the Psychology Today website. It is a great resource. You can read their profiles/experience and what they specialize in. I chose someone who was older and who I knew had some life experience. You can see if they do in person or zoom.

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/284920#Comment_284920

countrywife · October 26

I found a gem through SonderMind. She is very familiar with dementia and caregivers. I started with her virtually every week and now it’s every other week. If/when the time comes I need to see her more frequently, that’s an option. I look forward to every session. It may be the best thing we can do for ourselves as caregivers.

Andi C · October 26

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/284924#Comment_284924

Do you go to support group meetings, either in person or virtually? I reached out to the woman that runs my in person support group and she gave me the lead I have. She knows the therapist, and the therapist takes both Medicare and my supplemental insurance, which is hard to find. I've spoken with the therapist briefly and can't wait to start our sessions tomorrow.

jgreen · October 26

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/284936#Comment_284936

Good for you, @Andi C I got names from a couple of friends and found a mental health practitioner who diagnosed moderate anxiety and prescribed Buspirone. She also recommended I see a counselor. I found my counselor by checking what Medicare would cover and in my area, looked at the practice and read reviews of the available staff. I got lucky with both choices and like them. I see each one, the practitioner in person, and the counsellor via video conference once a month.

I hope you are as lucky as I have been. Let us know how it goes for you.

Rellie76 · October 26

I need to do this

Andi C · 12:59PM

Had my first therapy session yesterday. I think this therapist is going to be a good fit for me. We went through everything from the last couple of years, and yes, there has been a LOT of baggage these past 2 years, Not all of it having to do with my DH dementia, but several deaths of close friends and family members, dealing with his close family members who don't give a damn about how my DH is doing, etc, etc, etc. So we are working on a plan, starting with me getting back to taking my 30 minute walks which I used to do at least 5 times a week. I know that had always been theraputic for me in the past, but kind of dropped it to when I could get my DH to take a short walk at a much slower pace. I'm already looking forward to my appointment next week!

Time for therapy......for ME

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