How do you make time for therapy?

[PrincessKnight]

There's no question that I need to see a therapist, but I can't afford one. To get the  money to see one, I'd need a job. Which is the problem. If you're busy working all day- let's assume a 9-5 job, Monday through Friday- how do you make time to see a therapist? When do you see a therapist if you're working all day? I can't imagine they'd be available for sessions after I get off work, and I can't see them usually being available on weekends. So how would one make the time? Would you just ask your boss for time off every week (or however often it is- I don't know that either)? Would your boss need to know why you need time off? How would you juggle work and therapy?

[Madison Leigh]

There's no question that I need to see a therapist, but I can't afford one. To get the  money to see one, I'd need a job. Which is the problem. If you're busy working all day- let's assume a 9-5 job, Monday through Friday- how do you make time to see a therapist? When do you see a therapist if you're working all day? I can't imagine they'd be available for sessions after I get off work, and I can't see them usually being available on weekends. So how would one make the time? Would you just ask your boss for time off every week (or however often it is- I don't know that either)? Would your boss need to know why you need time off? How would you juggle work and therapy?

I had the same concerns regarding my job and starting therapy.  I did find one that had some evening hours as well as Saturdays.  However, while she was more than willing to see me, she strongly suggested a colleague of hers that has more experience with gender issues than she does.  Unfortunately this therapist doesn't do evenings/weekends which concerned me as she's about 40 minutes each way from here.  I have a reasonable amount of vacation that I have to use before the end of the year anyway, so I've arranged the first session (next Monday) to be on a vacation day (assuming that I continue to see her, the second session would also be on a vacation day) and have also arranged to see her every other week instead of every week to help minimize the concerns.  Beyond that I'm not sure how well things will work, but that bridge will have to be one I cross when I get there.

Madison

[Ayden]

There wasn't a local therapist where I used to live, so I had one through Skype for a while. Since it was a four hour difference between where I was and where she was, we were able to work it out. Though, she did offer me evening appointments a few times when work, classes, and being married got in the way.

[Madison Leigh]

There wasn't a local therapist where I used to live, so I had one through Skype for a while. Since it was a four hour difference between where I was and where she was, we were able to work it out. Though, she did offer me evening appointments a few times when work, classes, and being married got in the way.

That's something I looked into and strongly considered doing.  A friend of mine who is transitioning did that and it worked well for her.  If the therapist I've chosen doesn't work out, I may pursue that further.

Madison

[Felix]

Back when I had a job, I saw my therapist on my lunch break. It was just once a week so it didn't feel like a huge sacrifice. On those days I would eat granola bars or drink smoothies to make up for skipping lunch.

[MissJessica]

I would say that once you find a therapist, talk to them and let them know your schedule. I'm sure there are a few who would work with you. The one that I am going to see said she could see me when I get off work (4pm). Even if I got off later, I would try for a morning session, or perhaps a lunch session, like Felix. I came across another therapist who worked out of her own home on evenings and weekends because she worked during the day for the city (or something). So you never know.

[Adrasteia]

I went to my first session on my lunch hour (sort of).  After that, I took some time off for other sessions, and I've been going every other week. I don't have infinite time to take off, though, so I told my therapist about it and she was able to move me to an evening spot every other week.  I still have to go to work early and leave early on those days, but it's working OK for now. You shouldn't have to tell your boss or your work anything - just say it's personal/medical if they are rude enough to ask.