Missing a Therapist at Burning Man

SilverFly · Post by **SilverFly** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 9:04 am

Hello, this will be my first year at Burning Man, one thing that I'm very concerned about is that I currently see a therapist 4 days a week (I'm in psychoanalysis). For Burning Man I will not see her for over a week. I'm expecting to have a wonderful, spectacular time, but also know that there is a range of experiences to be had, and am a bit worried that I will not have any ability to have contact with her while on the Playa.

Do any of you have any experience with a situation like mine? I know that they have AA meetings on the playa, was wondering if there are therapy groups or anything of the such for non-AA people.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 9:09 am

OMFG.

the Rapist?

WTF?

oh, you're from NY, my bad......listen toots, out there, they're LIFE COACHES, so if you want any help you'll have to use the proper terminology.

throw in a couple of "Way"'s and maybe a few "hella's" for good measure, even possibly a "way hella" for example...

"I'm way hella freaked about being out of contact with my LIFE COACH for the entire week and i was wondering if anyone has a secret stash of Xanax because i'm coming by plane..."

that might way hella work.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 11:08 am

Assuming that you're on the lavel, does your therapist know about your upcoming vacation into chaos?

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 11:59 am

Sounds like the perfect candidate for thurday night's party at the Booby Bar.

SilverFly · Post by **SilverFly** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:11 pm

[quote="Ugly Dougly"]Assuming that you're on the lavel, does your therapist know about your upcoming vacation into chaos?[/quote]

Yes, we've talked about it. I don' t think she [i]really [/i]understands what Burning Man is, but she wouldn't share her personal opinion of my going anyway. Her solution would be to plan times (once or twice) for me to call her to "check in" during the week, though I am hesitant to make plans for anything AND as far as I know there will be no way for me to call her from BRC.

mikesieben · Post by **mikesieben** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:19 pm

Get someone to grab you daily and shake you like this.

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:19 pm

silverfly wrote:

Yes, we've talked about it. I don' t think she really understands what Burning Man is, but she wouldn't share her personal opinion of my going anyway. Her solution would be to plan times (once or twice) for me to call her to "check in" during the week, though I am hesitant to make plans for anything AND as far as I know there will be no way for me to call her from BRC.

There is if you have a Nextel cell phone.

If you can afford it, problem solved !!

Post by **Elderberry** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:27 pm

Or rent a satellite phone for the week.

Geez, how do I get into that business? FOUR times a week!?!?!?!?! I can't even imagine going once in a lifetime.

JK

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:33 pm

SilverFly wrote:
Ugly Dougly wrote:Assuming that you're on the lavel, does your therapist know about your upcoming vacation into chaos?
Yes, we've talked about it. I don' t think she really understands what Burning Man is, but she wouldn't share her personal opinion of my going anyway. Her solution would be to plan times (once or twice) for me to call her to "check in" during the week, though I am hesitant to make plans for anything AND as far as I know there will be no way for me to call her from BRC.

It can be pretty rought on sane people, from what I have heard....

SilverFly · Post by **SilverFly** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:56 pm

Thanks for the Nextel and Satellite suggestions.

Four times a week? Yes, I understand how outrageous that sounds. However it's pulled me out of a hell hole of depression and inability to function in daily life. Psychoanalysis is (for me) the most ridiculous and difficult and painful and wonderful thing ever.

I actually have a really good sliding scale deal since I'm young and poor. I feel very fortunate to have it, except when, you know, things like vacations come along and I have to worry about whether or not I'll be okay without talking to her.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychoanalysis#Techniques

ehcsztein · Post by **ehcsztein** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:02 pm

Maybe try a "week off" of your normal sessions prior to heading out to the playa and see if you are even comfortable with just touching bases with her while in the default world?

I dunno but, if you can't take a week off from therapy in the real world the whole BM experience may just be too much depending upon your depth of dependency on therapeutic validation etc.

SilverOrange · Post by **SilverOrange** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:03 pm

Hey Silverfly, Welcome to the eplaya. There are a lot of really good people on the playa. I don't know if you have to be tied to your therapist or not, but I do know that if you're having a hard time there are a lot of people in the community who would be more than happy to lend a sympathetic ear and give you advice, if that's what you need. Who knows if you'll even need it. It's a different world out there, and it really is possible, if you want to, to leave your baggage at the door and be who you want to be.

*damn spelling

Token · Post by **Token** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:03 pm

Ouch! Some times you guys are heartless bastards. That was not funny at all.

Epic Fail on the snark.

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:25 pm

You, my dear Token, lack a sense of humor.

Hold on a second, I don't see any snark here.

What did you mean by you guys ?

Token · Post by **Token** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:32 pm

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 2:03 pm

*hands "snark" banner to Token, invites him to take the lead, as standard bearer*

phil · Post by **phil** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 2:47 pm

http://www.dramabutton.com/

dragonpilot · Post by **dragonpilot** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 2:55 pm

phil wrote:http://www.dramabutton.com/

Oh shit! I had to "Bookmark" that one! Thanks, Phil!

gaminwench · Post by **gaminwench** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:10 pm

there is Sanctuary - near Center Camp - staffed 24/7 with lovely, caring people who are trained to support those with mental health issues...

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 3:46 pm

I am not sure I understand how someone that has to see a shrink 4 times a week is capable of being functional in the default world.

Get some Prozac and get on with it.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 6:37 pm

U
R
SO
FKNG
DUMD!!

welcome to burning man, you voluntarily assume the risk of death, or worse...

god forbid you should stray out of your comfort zone, i mean cell reception...WTF? i hope this is a fucking joke, like woody allen marrying his daughter...

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:14 pm

I'm pretty much with Smashy.

May I recommend a Licensed Clinical Social Worker? No Ph.D. but they are emminently practical. I have seen a fair number of therapists over the years, and I prefer the LCSW over the Doctors (Ph.D.s and MDs.) And isn't that four days a week sort of hanging on to discredited Freudian ideoloy anyway?

note to self. Next time make friends before trying to reprogram someone.

brcprincess · Post by **brcprincess** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 3:14 am

I guess it will either the smartest thing you ever do.. or the dumbest.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 5:20 am

this has got to be a sock.

i'm sure of it.

if not, then i'm ashamed to be from the same state....i PRAY you're from downstate, because we do terrible things to people like you here in the boondocks.

psycho anal, sis.

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 5:23 am

brcprincess wrote:I guess it will either the smartest thing you ever do.. or the dumbest.

Yep. I do enjoy witnessing a good psychotic breakdown though...

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 6:55 am

I wonder if we could combine this thread with the epileptic thread, and, still get a chance to use our pencils?............

SilverFly · Post by **SilverFly** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 7:16 am

gaminwench wrote:there is Sanctuary - near Center Camp - staffed 24/7 with lovely, caring people who are trained to support those with mental health issues...

Thank you, gaminwench. That was exactly the answer I was looking for.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 7:18 am

like i said, if this isnt a sock, than this person would be wise to avoid me.

i dont deal well with pathos.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 7:21 am

SilverFly wrote:
gaminwench wrote:there is Sanctuary - near Center Camp - staffed 24/7 with lovely, caring people who are trained to support those with mental health issues...
Thank you, gaminwench. That was exactly the answer I was looking for.

MAYBE THATS YOUR FUCKING PROBLEM! FIND YOUR OWN GODDAMN ANSWERS!

radical self medication is KEY!

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 7:23 am

Simon of the Playa wrote: MAYBE THATS YOUR FUCKING PROBLEM! FIND YOUR OWN GODDAMN ANSWERS!

Simon, have you considered decaf?