Hey Nikki

Are you doing abit better?

Quick question- surely you are supposed to lead therapy? the therapist shouldn't be "choosing" what is important to you to talk about!!?! If you want (and need) to talk about RSD and how it is affecting you then it is very important to do that - and that is what she is being paid for, to help you deal with now. Not years ago.

IHH - I have seen both. It depends what you are looking for from therapy, in my case I wanted to have some help dealing with the changes the RSD and pain have bought into my life, and assistance for not only dealing with severe long term disability and how it affected my family and I but also wanted to look at psychological methods of pain control and disease management, such as relaxation, meditation, pacing etc. I personally found that without accepting the RSD and it's problems I found it very hard to move on to a place where I could go forward - but that's just me. I am an ostrich at heart who would love to stick my head in the sand and ignore horrible situations!

.....But, I digress. If currently you feel that you need someone to just rant at and to work out the frustration and the unfairness, and how your life has changed then I personally don't see why the counsellor should be specialised in pain.

....As long as they are willing to learn about what RSD is, and accept it as a disease entity that has severely impacted your quality of life and is willing to offer empathy, a listening ear and NO PITY then they would probaly be great. I have been helped far more by people like that, who listen, agree that life is tough, let you talk about it without making you feel guilty for being self centred than by specialist pain psychologists.

Have you considered someone like your pastor? or his wife? I imagine it would be less stressful to see someone close to you (geographically) and who understands your culture.

Anyway, you know where I am if you want to natter about it! and I now REALLY have to go because otherwise this stupid pain is *"£%"

Love ya tons

Frogga xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx