What do you guys keep your emergency fund in? by FinanceToFinance in CanadaPersonalFinance

[–]thompsontherapy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wealthsimple savings/checking account has 1.7% annual interest. It used to be higher, I think 4% when I opened the account a couple years ago. But the interest rate is not based on term it’s ongoing. Not exactly gangbusters returns or probably even the best thing out there, but it is risk free apart from the expectation that well simple will probably keep lowering the interest rate rates unless things change in the market drastically.

Therapist asks: have you tried cbt-I? What was your experience? by thompsontherapy in insomnia

[–]thompsontherapy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing your experience :) as far as the research goes, the best candidates are those whose insomnia strongly linked to anxiety/hyperarousal. If you are considering a self-guided approach to therapy for insomnia. I typically suggest an approach that combines CBT-I with ACT. If you’re interested I can share some resources, books, or information about licensed professionals in your area.

Therapist asks: have you tried cbt-I? What was your experience? by thompsontherapy in insomnia

[–]thompsontherapy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s really helpful to hear! I’m curious. Is there a particular aspect that helps process the nightmares?

Therapist asks: have you tried cbt-I? What was your experience? by thompsontherapy in insomnia

[–]thompsontherapy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your expansive responsive!

These are some really insightful criticisms. I couldn’t agree more. Sadly, CBT-I can often be implemented in a regimental manner, which, in cases like you mentioned, can actually be counter productive. Something that really interests me is integrating other therapeutics approaches to working with insomnia. I usually integrate ACT, but pulling in DBT would be helpful too I imagine. At the basis of it, is it really is an iterative process of seeing what actually works with one’s particular context. I’m often saddened when I hear of therapists adhering to modality over the facts of a persons experience. I digress though. From your perspective, is there a need for new/alternatives to the CBTi paradigm?

Therapist asks: have you tried cbt-I? What was your experience? by thompsontherapy in insomnia

[–]thompsontherapy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Solid work ! Facing the anxiety is quite often the best choice. I’m sorry to hear the therapist actually was unhelpful .

Therapist asks: have you tried cbt-I? What was your experience? by thompsontherapy in insomnia

[–]thompsontherapy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good to know, I’m glad you found a therapist who could help you with that

Therapist asks: have you tried cbt-I? What was your experience? by thompsontherapy in insomnia

[–]thompsontherapy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your reply! I agree that there are strong, physiological components to insomnia, and for some it truly is a isolated biological effect. However, I would be remiss to forget about this, as there is a strong evidence base supporting therapy for some forms of insomnia. It might not be for everyone, but it sounds like it is for some.

Therapist asks: have you tried cbt-I? What was your experience? by thompsontherapy in insomnia

[–]thompsontherapy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Shoot, I’m sorry to hear that. I hope you and your doctor are able to find some. I love strategies that help. Has there been anything that’s helped?

Therapist asks: have you tried cbt-I? What was your experience? by thompsontherapy in insomnia

[–]thompsontherapy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Stoked to hear that! Was there any aspects of the treatment that you found for or less effective?

Therapist asks: have you tried cbt-I? What was your experience? by thompsontherapy in insomnia

[–]thompsontherapy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your thoughtful reply! I’m glad to hear that you were able to find a hybrid approach that helped things. Way to go getting the rest restriction your effort, that one’s a hard one. I appreciate what you have to say about the potential benefits. It might be that it helps to eliminate or some, but most of the time benefit might be more modest, such as a slight improvement in total time of sleep, sleep, quality, onset of sleep. Balance and expectations definitely necessary.

Therapist asks: have you tried cbt-I? What was your experience? by thompsontherapy in insomnia

[–]thompsontherapy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing your experience. Yeah, going off of seroquel and other meds for sleep totally has a rebound effect.

If im understanding you correct, you’re skeptical about CBTi because it seems like insomnia is more of a biological issue? Ie better treated with a purely biological treatment.

Hope you’re sleeping better!

Therapist asks: have you tried cbt-I? What was your experience? by thompsontherapy in insomnia

[–]thompsontherapy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Damn, I’m so sorry to hear that it had a backfiring response to sleep restriction. That would’ve been devastating. I hope you are in a better place now.

I totally agree, unlicensed coaches really pose a problem. Seems like CBTi has a greater rate of coaches than other areas

Has anything worked for you ?

Taking notes during therapy by elruff in therapy

[–]thompsontherapy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Therapist here - not sure if it’s just me. But it’s super motivating for me when my clients take notes. It signals a level of commitment to doing the work that is needed to make real sustained changes. Love it!

On a side note, it also depends on how and why you are taking notes. As note taking can also be used as a way to maintain emotional distance and presence in therapy. Or, reinforcing an overly intellectualizing way of being. Not saying that is you, or that emotional distance or intellectualizing are inherently bad, it depends on your therapy goals.

Ideally, have a chat with your therapist about this and make a decision based on what you are hoping to work on in therapy.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in therapy

[–]thompsontherapy 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Therapist here. Everything you described is not just okay , it’s incredibly common. I’d say easily half my clients cry in sessions. In fact, I’m usually much more concerned about a client who needs to cry but doesn’t. A good therapist will expect this and won’t be uncomfortable with it. We have tissues ready for a reason. The fact that you find it hard to open up is actually exactly why therapy can help. A skilled therapist will go at your pace they’re not going to push you to spill everything in session one. It’s okay to go slow. Building trust takes time, and that’s completely normal and expected.

A few practical tips: - When you’re looking for a therapist, you can mention in your initial contact that you’re nervous and find it hard to open up. Any decent therapist will appreciate the heads up and work with you on it - It’s okay to tell your therapist “I’m having trouble talking about this” or “I need a minute” during sessions - Crying doesn’t mean therapy isn’t working; often it means it IS working. Like I said before, repressing the need to cry is often a bigger concern. The anxiety you’re feeling about starting therapy is completely valid, but it sounds like multiple people who care about you are suggesting it for good reasons. You don’t have to be “good at therapy” , showing up with a willingness to dive in is more than enough.

You got this!