Work and therapy?
 

Hi guys,

A question for any of you who are in any therapy groups or have regular therapy sessions, and also have a job or college/uni/etc. How flexible/understanding is your employer, and how do you go about working and also being able to attend therapy?

I've just had a meeting with a therapy nurse about joining Emotional Regulation therapy. It'd be on a lunchtime on a weekday. We do work shifts so it's possible I may be able to get this time to go, but I've only been there for a few weeks so I'm a bit nervous about asking. The therapy would be starting on the 9th of Jan, or 13th of Feb if I can't make the January cycle.

This therapy is really important as I really feel that it would help me tackle a lot of my issues, as well as giving me the tools to stay calm and deal with everyday emotions and worries. However, having this job is equally if not more important as it's how I manage to live and maintain a house with my boyfriend.

Any advice/tips on tackling this? Ta in advance!

my employer was very understanding. i had 2x 2 hour groups a week and regular therapy sessions and they made all of them possible. i have a feeling in the uk it's a legal right to attend medical app's. it would probably depend on how open you are about your illness with your boss, if they know a lot then i expect they will be more likely to accomadate you

I only work 12 hours a week so i just asked my boss if I could have set days off so I could fit in my 2 therapy sessions a week and she was very accommodating :) hope you manage to get the time off x

There are typically laws for accomodating to people with disabilities (especially with such a small amount of hours, it doesn't seem like working around your appts would be a big hassle) I know in the US there are laws.

They don't know anything about my issues as I don't personally class them as a disability. The therapy nurse said I didn't have to tell them exactly what the treatment would be for.

I work 40hrs per week, but hopefully they'll be able to do it. I'll ask on Monday. Thanks for the responses, much appreciated!

ive found it almost impossible to fit work and treatment in. i work full time and have had to lose a place on the bpd group treatment as they start with a tuesday morning. my cpn is setting up a similar group though in the new year so might be able to join that but depends when it is. in the meantime im hoping to start distress tolerance course in the new year and as its 1-1 they set i can go straight after work (i finish at 3.30 ish). my employers cant really be flexible due to the nature of the job. plus i havent long returned after a year off sick and am now on final written warning for attendance so not allowed anymore time. if you work, it is extremely difficult.

good luck! let us know how it goes

I spoke to people at work today. It should be fine, they were supportive and as I work shifts 5 days out of 7, I should be able to get that day off every week. This has made me very happy and relieved, and I'm looking forward to starting my therapy group next week. :)

that's great news! hope it goes well in your group :)

I think new laws came into force recently which prevent employers not allowing you time off for appointments where there is a need for them as opposed to I 'need' my hair doing type things. I could be wrong though