Starting Therapy in 3 weeks and have questions

[The People]

(08-08-2013, 10:06 PM)chem_in_6 Wrote: So-

I’ll be starting therapy again through my college the week of August 26. I’m thinking that this will be a good way to bring up the dissociation and switching. Since the therapy is provided by the university, it’s free, which is nice.

I’ve got some concerns with this, though.
1. I have a lot of trauma issues intertwined with the dissociation
2. Would the therapist be bound to tell the school that I was having dissociative episodes?
3. I’m scared that I won’t be taken seriously
4. What would happen if I had an episode during therapy? I'm scared the therapist would send me to the ER

any input is appreciated
-chem (with input from Oldest and Zip)

IMO the best place to have an episode is during therapy. As well, just because your T works for the school does not mean that she shares anything with the school without your permission. I would hold off on that.

While I have had an occasional flashback at work I was able to contain it. Switching did happen but never in such an obvious way that it would be an issue. Two would come out at 2 jobs but only to talk to a working dog at one place and office pets at the other. And while she usually doesn't care who hears her when we are out and about she knew to be careful at these places.

There was only one time when we had a bust up during a class and it was as a result of something a guest speaker said. It was positively shocking and shockingly positive. It broke a dam and we spent break time crying in the bathroom. That instructor knew about us before we started the class (another long story) but not exactly why we lost it. We couldn't discuss it while sitting in class but we did explain it later.

See what happens. If you carry a backpack maybe you could have some safe things inside it like a special stone or something else that is personal that you can use for grounding. My advice is to share selectively because not everyone will understand. I wish you well and I envy you as I would love to go back to school.