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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Kath on February 18, 2008, at 17:43:28
Oh My Gosh.
1 1/2 hour appointment today with female doctor who runs these groups & it's covered by OHIP (government health insurance; lucky me).
She is quite nice & asked the usual questions re my 'history', previous therapy etc.
Then she gave me Numerous pages to read that covered different aspects of the group therapy.
I thought it was a great idea - that way, everyone gets exactly the same info. She said the GOAL or purpose of me reading was NOT to remember it, but to take my time & understand it. She was writing at her desk, while I read & I was to stop & ask her if I had any questions, right when I had them - not wait 'til afterwards.
Which, of course, I DID!!!
It sounds like it has the potential to be VERY good. It was emphasized that although one's involvement was one's own decision, those who benefit most are those who bring up issues, ex "I have an issue I'd like to deal with today". & those who tend to speak more, benefit more.
I asked a question when I read THAT!!! Anyone who knows me from the Social board, knows I am a blabbermouth par excellance!!! I tend to go ON & ON with the details. So I said to her that I was concerned that people would get fed up if I talked a lot, or frequently brought things up. She smiled & was so nice & said it wasn't my job to care what people thought of me.
Issues of feeling uncomfortable being 'new' & feeling as if one didn't belong, & wondering "how is this going to HELP me!!??" were addressed.
I am VERY hopeful about it.
She also asked (well, I'd already said it, but she asked if there were additional items) what I want to 'get' out of therapy.
Some were: to be able to go ahead & live my life in a relaxed manner without knowing if my son is OK or not
feeling comfortable NOT having my cellphone on in case he needs me
etc.
I am pretty darned excited about this!!!
Only downside is I have to get there by 10 a.m. on the 404 highway - a major hiway going North-south to Toronto....very busy at that time of day, so I'll probably just leave REALLY early....leaving myself enough time.
Kath
Posted by Daisym on February 18, 2008, at 23:45:34
In reply to 'group therapy' on Monday; initial appt today, posted by Kath on February 18, 2008, at 17:43:28
Good Luck with this Kath.
Group was hard for me when I first started but now that it stopped I find I miss it. It is true that you will get more out of it if you speak up. My group had structure so everyone had a chance to comment.
How many people in the group?
I hope you check back and let us know how it is going. And hit Starbucks for that long ride in the morning. :)
Posted by ClearSkies on February 19, 2008, at 8:27:00
In reply to 'group therapy' on Monday; initial appt today, posted by Kath on February 18, 2008, at 17:43:28
I've been in a group since November, and find that I love it far more than I loathe it - such a diverse group of women, from such different backgrounds, and we bring so much to the table in our discussions. There's a nice piece to it as well in that the "talk" portion is followed by a gentle yoga session straight afterwards, which reinforces whatever we've been discussing that evening. Really great stuff.
I hope that the morning goes well for you - please let us know about the experience.
CS
Posted by Kath on February 19, 2008, at 13:52:06
In reply to Re: 'group therapy' on Monday; initial appt today » Kath, posted by Daisym on February 18, 2008, at 23:45:34
Not sure how many people....I didn't think to ask her. I was in group therapy once & I did NOT like the 'style' of the therapist. He was really gruff & strict & mean & my inner child was terrified of him. Once he gave me a really hard time about being scared to have my beginning-Alzheimers father-in-law come in our car with us to a wedding, because he'd 'come onto me' one day at his house. When it happened I totally 'flipped into' kid mode. Anyway, nothing happened - it was all verbal. I am quite sure I was a PBer then, maybe it was around 2000. Anyway, my little kid was terrified of being near him. This therapist really put me down in the groupo, and I arranged a one-on-one appt with him & 'called him' on it! Blasted him!!! YAY ME!! Anyway he actually apologized & said that he put on a different 'persona' in group. Darned right he did! I never went back.
I mentioned this to the doctor - just that a former doc had had a strict & mean persona in group. I just wanted to let her know that hadn't worked for me.
I'm quite looking forward to it!
I'll keep y'all posted.
hugs, kath
Posted by Kath on February 19, 2008, at 13:55:13
In reply to Re: 'group therapy' on Monday; initial appt today » Kath, posted by ClearSkies on February 19, 2008, at 8:27:00
WOW CS - that sound really good!!
I expect this might be men AND women. I've never done that before....the other one was just women. It should be interesting to see how 'safe' I feel & to see if things are triggered that probably need to be brought out into the open!! I really like the doctor. We 'get to' call her by her first name.
Part of what I was given to read dealt with what happens if we get annoyed with her during group!
We're supposed to SAY IT - OH MY GAWD...lol she says that many of us have issues with authority figures & group is a wonderful place to be safe to speak up to a perceived authority figure!!!hugs to ya CS, love, Kath
Posted by Phillipa on February 19, 2008, at 16:14:00
In reply to Re: 'group therapy' on Monday; initial appt today » ClearSkies, posted by Kath on February 19, 2008, at 13:55:13
Kath so glad you got into the group identify with the Son think. Best luck to you. Phillipa
Posted by MissK on February 21, 2008, at 9:47:48
In reply to Re: 'group therapy' on Monday; initial appt today » ClearSkies, posted by Kath on February 19, 2008, at 13:55:13
There is usually not much posted here on group therapy and how that works and the perspective on that.
Let us know what it was like and your thoughts, Kath.
Posted by Kath on February 21, 2008, at 14:43:37
In reply to Re: 'group therapy' on Monday; initial appt today » Kath, posted by MissK on February 21, 2008, at 9:47:48
> There is usually not much posted here on group therapy and how that works and the perspective on that.
>
> Let us know what it was like and your thoughts, Kath.
*******I will! I'm feeling sorta excited & sorta scared at this point.Kath****
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