Hi all,

I wanted you to know that I had a much better session today. I forwarded my Wed. post to him by email so he could have some insight into how I think during a session when I can't talk. I was also able to express my need for reassurance about me deciding when to end therapy and how I want him to respond to emails or voice mails. I feel much better because I was able to express myself and we had an interesting discussion.

Generally, he doesn't give simple reassurance such as "you can keep coming as long as you want to" because he thinks things are more complex than that. He thinks as long as we are both engaged in therapy and that there is improvement on a long-term scale (knowing that therapy is not linear etc) that there is no reason to stop seeing someone. He also thinks that Email can be useful but he doesn't always read it on a regular basis (not on weekends and evenings or on busy days) and he is willing to always send me a quick reply saying I read it but he's not able to guarantee the timeliness of that reply. I said I thought as long as I knew he would reply when he read it I would be relieved because I think I worry he's read it and he's upset with me not that he hasn't read it.

There is of course more but in the short term I'm trying to be content with the fact I got somethings out in the open. Thank you all for your support and advice. I imagine that I will have lots more to say as time goes on. I am lucky that I am booked to see him Tuesday on his last day before the break.

Incognito,
You should be so proud of yourself. I know how hard and scary that must have been and I am so impressed with you being so open and honest with your T and so clearly expressing your needs.

And even though the answers may not have been exactly what you wanted, his willingness to discuss and hear how you feel is so much more important. Thanks for keeping us updated.

AG

Incognito,

I'm glad to hear this session went better. I read your other post and have been hoping this session would turn out better for you. I am impressed that you expressed your needs to your T and were able to have a conversation about it. Getting things out in the open can be very hard. I'm with AG, I think you being able to express your needs was far more important than the answers you got.

OW