To ask for an extra therapy session

[pupfluff]

I normally see my therapist once every two weeks. This week was my week to have an appointment, and it was a very difficult session, to the extent that I had to call in sick (and I very rarely call in sick) to work the following day. I have now been able to go back to work but I am still feeling raw and vulnerable.

WIBU to contact my therapist and ask if he would have any free slots next week as a one off? I'm not due to see him until the following week. I appreciate he may be fully booked and even if he does have anything available, the time may not suit me. I feel silly thinking about asking for it because maybe he'd think I'm weak and can't cope for another week

It doesn't hurt to ask. If he doesn't have any slots he can let you know if any cancellations come up.

Will you pay extra for this extra session?

Yes I would naturally pay the usual fee for the additional session. I don’t mean I’d expect an extra appointment for free

I feel silly thinking about asking for it because maybe he'd think I'm weak and can't cope for another week

You're worried about your therapist judging you for needing more help after feeling so bad after your last session? You must be sharing all manner of things with him, if he thinks you're weak for needing more support, he's not the one to help you.

Of course! Therapists are very used to providing intensive support during hard times. Definitely get in contact. I definitely agree sometimes once a fortnight is not enough.

Sorry that was meant to be a thread. How do I start a thread?

@FeelWorthlessAndAshamed go to whatever section you want to post in, maybe Relationships or Mental Health?, and at the top right hand corner there's a blue 'Start new thread' thing to click on. You can C&P what you've written here.

@FeelWorthlessAndAshamed , just to let you know that we've withdrawn your post on this thread and have contacted you directly to explain how to start your own thread. We hope that helps but give us a nudge if you have further questions.

Of course it's fine for you to ask. I'm sure you'll be given an extra appointment if at all possible.

Thanks so much

I would email something along the lines: it’s been a very difficult week so is there any chance of an extra session? I can come at short notice on …. Obviously I’ll pay extra for this ( if you’ve paid in advance for a block , not if you pay for each)

I don’t think you will be judged. Life is always more or less difficult at certain times due to actions of other people or other external circumstances. Your therapist is here to help.

Hi, just to update - so I did ask for an extra session, and he had one available that I was able to take. I then had my usual fortnightly session last week, so I had therapy 3 weeks in a row.

However I'm now not due back until week beginning 2nd October. Something serious happened this weekend and I'm wondering if I should ask him again if there's a possibility I could attend therapy this coming week, but I feel embarrassed and a bit ashamed asking for an extra session twice in a row. What do you think?

No harm in asking. Perhaps a discussion about whether fortnightly sessions are meeting your needs?

Therapy is for you - if you feel you need weekly rather than fortnightly during a more difficult time, why would your therapist judge or have a problem with you? Therapy is a service for you. When I worked in private practice I saw clients once a week at first and then moved to once every fortnight. If problems came up, I'd have had no problem going back to weekly until the client felt it wasn't needed.