How can I get my mother to see a therapist?

[Our abuse recovery guide]

My mother was diagnosed with BiPolar disorder 40 years ago.  She's 68 now and has recently experienced domestic violence and her 3rd divorce.  She is in remission from cancer as of October an MRI revealed she has generalized atrophy of her brain, meaning she shows lack of judgement, has trouble organizing and processing information and suffers from cognitive dysfunction.  She has drained all her savings and retirement and my husband and I supplement her social security income.   She has recently seen a psychiatrist because she wants to get off of her Lithium but refuses to see a therapist.  I have communicated with her psychiatrist via a health history form, which I mailed in to give the doctor adequate background beyond what she will see in her patient profile. 
Does anyone have advice for how to get your loved one to see a therapist?  I have tried to convince my mother that she has suffered a traumatic event and really should talk to someone.  Please advise.

[selfsoothe]

My mother was diagnosed with BiPolar disorder 40 years ago.  She's 68 now and has recently experienced domestic violence and her 3rd divorce.  She is in remission from cancer as of October an MRI revealed she has generalized atrophy of her brain, meaning she shows lack of judgement, has trouble organizing and processing information and suffers from cognitive dysfunction.  She has drained all her savings and retirement and my husband and I supplement her social security income.   She has recently seen a psychiatrist because she wants to get off of her Lithium but refuses to see a therapist.  I have communicated with her psychiatrist via a health history form, which I mailed in to give the doctor adequate background beyond what she will see in her patient profile. 
Does anyone have advice for how to get your loved one to see a therapist?  I have tried to convince my mother that she has suffered a traumatic event and really should talk to someone.  Please advise.

[HappyChappy]

Hi Selfsoothe,

The best route is normally via referral from a General Practitioner (GP) and or Psychiatrist. Could you go with your mum and see what her medical professionals have to say? Bi Polar is chemical imbalance, so here in the UK the NHS would not typically fund Therapy for that. Also Lithium is a powerful mood stabiliser so just changing dose needs carefully managing, so the big danger is normally patients coming off it or taking too much.  Here again you absolutely should speak with a Psychiatrist about that.

Child trauma can be co-morbid with Bi Polar, so it could be that Lithium and Therapy may be considered together. No one here, even the qualified, is insured to diagnose by proxy, and be wary of anyone that does. Listen you your Mums experts, and I wish you both the best. 

[Panda39]

Hi Selfsoothe,

How have you suggested getting therapy to her in the past?  What was her reaction?

Panda39