Started exposure therapy...

[staystrongxx]

2 and 1/2 weeks ago I had my first exposure therapy session.
I printed out the info sheet from this site and gave it to my therapist.
*May be graphic or triggering*
She had me draw a stick figure v* and write down i believe 4 different synonyms for v*.
I was fine with that so she then looked up sound effects of coughing on youtube.
We got through that ok and then she had me do relaxation techniques so I didn't leave all jittery.
The next week I didn't have therapy as she couldn't be in, so on Friday we picked up where we left off.
We started with looking up gagging sound effects on youtube.
The first video she selected was just coughing, but the second one was an actual v* sound.
I immediately blurted out "Oh god no!" Shoved my fingers in my ears and began crying.
It was awful! She apologized profusely and said she will prescreen the videos before playing them next time.
I feel that she should have already been prescreening them but I suppose I have to cut her some slack as I don't think she's done exposure before.
I just feel like that was one step back and also skipping a week in between sessions was just not very helpful and consistent..

[Cynna]

You can do this HUGS

[jaymayse8]

First of all, props to you for going to therapy. I feel as though that probably takes a lot of courage. I'm sorry about your unfortunate experience there. Maybe try and switch therapists, take a break, or try and find a new place to go to. Because if you don't feel as though you're getting help and it's only somewhat tortuous, then why waste the money on going? The fact that your therapist jumped to playing the sound effect of vomiting already kinda says to me that she/he is not sure of what they're doing. Emetophobia is no joke and needs to be handled carefully. Stay strong!

[staystrongxx]

The thing is that I have a semi-crappy medical insurance(Medi-Cal) and it's hard to get mental health care. I don't know that there's anywhere else I can go

[momtecz]

staystrongxx.....stick with it honey...you will have good weeks with it and some bad difficult ones... if your therapist hasn't used exposure therapy before keep him/her time to figure things out...i know it is hard to find help for this and to try to find the right people that know how to treat it...you can do this...please keep me posted! exposure therapy will help!! it will be a rocky road make sure you share your feeling with your therapist so he/she knows hoe you are feeling and if things need to slow down!