2 strikes, & the therapist SWINGS...

[Guest guest]

.... and she's still in the game.

Yesterday, had his 3rd therapy session. Now, I'm not going to

get compulsive about telling this group every single thing that

happens in therapy, but since I was ASKED to keep everyone informed,

I'll go ahead and indulge each of you!

, after last night's late (6pm) meeting, and the DEDICATION that

this young therapist demonstrated, I'm adopting the '5 appointment'

rule that you suggested. I was impressed with her EFFORT. She *is*

trying. She DID seem to have brushed up on her OCD facts last

night. She had the 'OCD language' down, she informed me that 'talk

therapy' doesn't work on OCD, which I already knew thanks to this

great group. She even said what several of you have already stated,

that if refuses to do his charts/therapy homework, she won't be

able to work with him anymore. He HAS to be ready for therapy, and

if he continues to show that he's NOT ready to make a change in his

life, there's no point in continuing. I suggested your GREAT idea

about TAPE RECORDING his OCD episodes. She thought that

was a wonderful idea because (and this is what I didn't know), she

wants the charts/recordings so that *SCOTT* increases his AWARENESS

of the frequency of his OCD episodes. I asked her if she really

thought a 10 year old can step outside of himself and LOOK at his

behavior after the fact and assess it, and she seems to think he's

capable of doing it. I'm not so sure... but we'll give it a try.

She almost struck out when she suggested that I take more

notes/charting. I said, 'no way! I will NOT put myself through THAT

again. Besides, it's not my responsibility. needs to DETACH

from me. We're stuck in an unhealthy dependent relationship and

needs to take *some* responsibility for his own illness, or

I'll go cRaZy. I can't take this anymore.' She saw my point. I

think she gets it.

She also wants my HUSBAND to participate more in therapy. An every-

other type deal where I go w/ one week, and hubby goes the next

week sounds doable. I'm getting very TIRED of being 99% involved in

ALL of the OCD stuff around here. I told my husband last night that

he needs to READ about OCD, get up to speed, and be a TEAM player.

Right now, my husband is more of a pinch hitter. He'll relieve me of

's reassurance questions when he feels like it. Plus,

doesn't BELIEVE his father because he knows that *I'm* the 'family

expert' and the one that has the facts about OCD. TRUSTS me

more than his dad, which is not a healthy place to be in. I need

support, dammit! So, hubby has agreed to get more involved.

We're post-poning E & RP therapy until increases his AWARENESS of

his illogical reasoning. She talked to him about LOGIC and believing

*it* over OCD. I'm not sure if he understands this concept, but

we'll see.

I also told the therapist that is *intellectually* 10 years

old, but *emotionally* only 5 years old. She totally agreed.

I'm still not sure what I'm PAYING for. So far, therapy isn't

yielding any results that I can see. However, I'm willing to hang in

there a little longer with this therapist. Our meeting was supposed

to be OVER at 7pm, however she stayed with both of us in the lobby

till 7:50pm!! She seems very concerned about and said

he's 'tortured' by OCD and it's going to take ALOT of work on

everyone's part and results won't happen over night. I never

expected it would because he's been OCDing for 5 years. But, her

level of commitment and effort last night impressed me and I'm

willing to hang in there a little longer. I only wish that she'd

come up with some original ideas of her own (like tape recording),

but she's trying to get up to speed w/ 's issues too. I can't

expect her to be a miracle worker in 3 visits and I think I *was* so

desperate and frustrated that I was expecting her to have a magic

wand.

Ok, that's it for now. Any feedback would be welcomed. My main

concern is if this therapist is following the protocol for OCD

treatment. Are we where we're supposed to be after 3 visits or am I

paying for useless talk?

Joni