u/Code_x_007

Good to hear, I'm still considering them.

Thanks, I'll check them out.

Ouch, that really sounds painful. What are the better ones you are referring to?

Thank you! I love straight forward comments like this.

Thank you for sharing that! That doesn't sound good at all, it's super frustrating when you can't contact big companies like this.

Was it a form on the site you used to contact them or a specific email? Sometimes it can help if you contact them on social media platforms when you can't get through.

That's a really helpful overview. Just what I was looking for. Thank you.

A certain degree of intrusive thoughts can be normal. Have you tried meditation? Do you exercise daily or often? Exercise often helps a lot with mental health I find.

So well said. Let her shape her own opinion, but tell what to be careful about.

Having 90 clients is a heavy caseload and could make it tough for a therapist to give everyone enough attention. If you feel like she’s not remembering your sessions or you’re not getting the support you need, it’s totally reasonable to try a different therapist, especially since your insurance covers it.

“cognitive distancing” has been the game-changer for me. The first time I caught myself thinking “I’m a failure” and rewrote it as “I’m having the thought that I’m a failure,” it felt like mentally stepping off a sticky trap. I actually scribbled my worst thought on a sticky note and stuck it on my fridge, turns out, I could look at it from across the room and just think, “Huh, that’s what my brain is up to.” Not magic, but it took the sting out, especially when anxiety started bossing me around. Works best for me when my brain decides to throw a worry party at 2am.

That's true. I might make that optional or see if I can eliminate it all together.

Thank you :)

I think you should try some of the resources in sidebar of this sub. Specifically go through the 'free and easy to use CBT based resources' post. It's really quite helpful.

I tend to agree. Other than the handing over of money, she was doing her job.

No. Don't give up. Perhaps you can try some online therapy, with those platforms it's quite easy to switch between therapists if you don't find them suitable. That way you can 'interview' more in a shorter period of time.

I feel he could've handled it better and with more sympathy, without me actually being there.
However, following exercises like his and general mindfulness or meditation can often help to some degree.

Absolutely, it's just like all things that might be outside your comfort zone. It can be difficult to be vulnerable, but sometimes it's easier with a stranger that you know have good qualifications once you get into it. It's different for everyone, but usually the quicker you become comfortable with it the better results you'll get, I've found.

Lean into the journey and give yourself a bit of grace. Your therapist’s tools aren’t just random, they’ve been lifesavers for a lot of folks before you. For some, positive shifts show up in a flash; for others, it’s more of a slow-bloom situation. Rewiring your thinking isn’t a one-night magic act. Stick with it.

This is a good point. If you have rationalized the benefit of achieving a better self image you should be more motivated to achieve it naturally.