[Bruins88]

Going in a few hours to my cbt consult. Really not knowing what to expect. Im just hoping they dont ask me a million questions, since I get frustrated extremely easily. Going to hope for the best. Ill post back later with how it went!

[Hockey]

If you find yourself struggling, try not to get discouraged or feel embarrassed. The therapist is there to help you. If you could do everything perfectly, you wouldn't need to be there.

It will get better. Embrace the opportunity - and don't measure yourself by what you could do before. Cognitive therapy is all about where you're going.

[Bruins88]

Thanks Hockey. Im bout to go now and a bit worried. Mostly because of just not wanting to talk anymore because I stutter, lose teain of thought and feel downright dumb now. My wife will be there with me today, and she has a background in psychology and physical therapy so shes a huge support booster at times like these. Hopefully ill post back sooner rather than later. Hoping it doesnt cause my head pressure and headaches to worsen today since its my first time!

[Hockey]

Originally Posted by kevbo887

Thanks Hockey. Im bout to go now and a bit worried. Mostly because of just not wanting to talk anymore because I stutter, lose teain of thought and feel downright dumb now. My wife will be there with me today, and she has a background in psychology and physical therapy so shes a huge support booster at times like these. Hopefully ill post back sooner rather than later. Hoping it doesnt cause my head pressure and headaches to worsen today since its my first time!

I had a terrible stutter after my TBI. Thank heaven for speech therapy.

[EsthersDoll]

I attended CBT and ST (and PT) for months on end. Even without the neuropsycholigical testing that my HMO denied, the therapists were able to figure out what areas of assistance I needed. And they were very patient and very kind.

I did have one who was not too bright though... I sounded like I had a foreign accent and she refused to believe that English was not only my first, but my ONLY language. She kept referring to stroke patients who forgot what languages they spoke - despite my boyfriend insisting that I didn't know another language as well. She also argued with me that squash wasn't a "yellow vegetable" because her book only had "corn" written down as the answer.

Anyway, I think MOST therapists are GREAT and WONDERFUL, but if you get one you don't like, you should definitely consider firing him/her to get a better one.

[Bruins88]

Well today went well today I guess. Was a lot of questions, and really felt like I was in 3rd grade. She introduced herself as a speech therapist, not really sure if that is normal or not. Anyway she said I did decent and have some mild memory and problem solving issues. I dont remember to much of it, but I do know it was pretty asinine. No offense, but how is remembering the word apple or a picture going to help me get back to work in a physical labor job? Im down for continuing to do it, but not seeing how its going to help, maybe its because I was expecting something different, and it really hurt my head but im a bit disappointed. She claims I probably will do 5 more sessions. Once a week for 5 weeks.

[Hockey]

The woman who did my APT cognitive therapy was a speech therapist. (She also worked on my stutter, aphasia and apraxia.)

No matter what job one does, memory and problem solving skills are part of everyday functioning. The training I got with focusing/organizing helped me with everything from making dinner to sorting the laundry.

[Bruins88]

True. Maybe im looking at this the wrong way. She was saying how this will help me back to work. Maybe im afraid shell say im good and can go to work even though I still feel terrible. Not sure how that works. She did agree with saying she doesnt feel safe with me driving, which is a big part of my job too. I just want to feel normal again and for some reason I was expecting this to make the headaches dizzyness foggyness and all of that go away.

[Hockey]

Originally Posted by kevbo887

True. Maybe im looking at this the wrong way. She was saying how this will help me back to work. Maybe im afraid shell say im good and can go to work even though I still feel terrible. Not sure how that works. She did agree with saying she doesnt feel safe with me driving, which is a big part of my job too. I just want to feel normal again and for some reason I was expecting this to make the headaches dizzyness foggyness and all of that go away.

On the contrary, in the beginning, you might find yourself wiped out after therapy sessions. I used to come home and collapse on the sofa. However, over time, as my thinking improved, tasks became easier and I got a lot more functional.

I won't lie: it was hard, but it was worth it.

[Bruins88]

Yah I felt extremely tired, and still do actually. Head actually is starting to calm down a bit compared to earlier luckily. Do you think the 5 sessions will help enough? She booked 8 total but just for insurance purpose but she said we will only do 5.

Like I said, Im open to anything that helps, and maybe I just need to look at this different. I think half my problem today, and the reason I did pretty decent was I took a lot of time to figure things out. It seemed she wanted my inital reaction on a lot of the quick though questions, but I took my time. Im glad I did though, because I know if I just answered the first thing that crossed my mind I wouldve failed epically.