((((JANE))))) I cry too! Sometimes more that others. I always try to cover it up before I go out in public. I like LG's idea. Although, STRM makes a good point about why do we feel we have to cover it up???Read More...

Hi CNC, my T doesn't do email. If she did, I'd definitely be using it. However, she does text, but not with all her clients, only some of them. As for how it came about...well, it wasn't until about 5 months into my therapy. I had known all along that my T had an "emergency phone" because this information was told to me by the receptionist on the first appointment, and the number for it used to be printed on the appointment reminder cards (it isn't there anymore - long explanation for that).Read More...

BB, Read on another thread that you asked for and got weekly sessions. So happy for you.Read More...

I knew that posting here would make me feel a little better! Thanks everyone for your responses. Here is a little more info. in response to your questions. I will respond to each individually because it is a lot. Springgreen- My reservations about Consult T... she has just one review written about her online and it is horrible... sounds like someone was really mad at her like I am mad at my t. right now. Then I mentioned her to an acquaintance who works in the mental health field around here...Read More...

I think my P often shows how hesitant he is when he is talking, to 'allow' me to not be so embarrassed about being hesitant myself. He also is very good at admitting when he makes a mistake - which has the knock on effect of making me feel very safe: if he is open about making mistakes then I am not having to second guess what is going on when he is making a mistake and might cover it up, for example. I know they are trained to listen to their own feelings and body sensations which could be...Read More...

LG - Thanks, this was a really helpful way of looking at it. 1. If they don't make things much worse, I would give them a few months. If things get very bad, I don't know if I could be patient at all. 2. I would probably be willing to try three times or maybe six months worth of trying. 3. With my H's condition and struggles, it doesn't matter if I have drive. Even now, struggling with my weird intimacy flashback type stuff and not wanting to, we still do. I know that is probably not healthy...Read More...

(((((BB)))))Read More...

Along those same lines: This is a Christian Resource I believe Live Online Crisis CounselingRead More...

(((((JD))))) I'm sorry about how hard it is to talk about and process all the bad things. I want to send you hugs and prayers. You don't deserve to feel this way about yourself, you a a sweetheart. hugs, BBRead More...

Jane, I am so happy to hear that the check-in call was helpful for you and that you are feeling better than you were. (((hugs)))Read More...

((((((Sadly))))))) From everything you've described about your P, I'm sure he will understand. He is right, you DO have enormous courage!!!Read More...

T has never given me homework, I think if i asked him to he would give me another speech on how I'm the only one who knows what I need, and everything I need to heal is inside of me (which i don’t mind because I love those speeches). But not a week goes by that i don’t have some sort of assignment for myself, besides spending at least 2 hours listening, processing, and journaling my sessions. And yes, I always (almost always) go over what I worked on with T. If it’s a book or workbook then...Read More...

What an ass. Now I've never been married, but I think your Husband should be your #1 supporter, more so than your T. If you were in a serious crisis, would he just make fun of you for that too? :/ You're right, that is such BS and it makes me so irritated just reading about it. I hate it when people don't take things seriously or assume you're exaggerating. My dad didn't blink when I told him I was assaulted, he assumed I was exaggerating and just drunk (which I wasn't, I was hysterical more...Read More...

I would keep being yourself and do what feels right for you and they can say if they don't like it. I shake hands a lot with people in formal settings and did with my P when I first met him but was aware he was completely stunned by it. I touched him!! (horrors!). Normally I give and receive hugs in therapy and am held when the pain has me sobbing like a small child, but this P as you have probably read, has never touched a patient in his entire 23 years of practicing, so we are well tangled...Read More...

Thank you all for your responses. It has made me think =) I feel that she pushes me to talk even though i feel uncomfortable with her. I'm not seeing this T at the moment as we sort have never developed a rapport. I think the idea of posting was just coming to terms with my experience.Read More...

Thanks. I appreciate both of your encouragement. I guess I just wish I could edit out the passages of the Bible where being authentic and humble in our brokenness before God involved all those "one anothers." Like, if I could be childlike without the having to be loved, prayed for, have my burdens carried by another, confessing to others...you know, all that stuff which becomes problematic when you just can't trust people? That would be great!!! I guess I'm just getting frustrated, because...Read More...

He has been incorporating them, but my transference stuff makes it less successful than when other people respond to me in the way I asked. I am still constantly freaking out about how he hates me even though, logically, I know he doesn't.Read More...

Could you start by saying something like "There's something I want to tell you, but I'm afraid to speak about it because other therapists have reacted poorly in the past" That could be one way to start. Even if you don't tell her that day, at least it starts the conversation. Also, it gives her a bit of time to let the info sink in. She won't be completely blind sighted by the news. It sounds like you've built a relationship with this person and she should be accepting of all of you. I know...Read More...

Honestly, when I first started therapy I wouldn't have been able to articulate any of these things. I think my goal would have been - try not to cry all the time I think it's worthwhile to think about goals in this way and try to imagine what you want from therapy and your life. If you are strong enough to imagine this and articulate these needs, then kudos to you. I do think that some people (myself included) come to therapy and aren't able to articulate goals or what they want from life.Read More...

I'm sorry that this is so hard for you. My T has cried before and I also found it incredibly difficult. I cannot cry and to see him tear up was really challenging for me. I imagine that your T cares for you deeply and is feeling pain. I think it's worth asking if this is a soft spot or if she has personal experience with this issue.Read More...

TN, You deserve to have this beautiful experience after all you went through. This guy will not let you down. The attachment stuff is psychodynamic? It just seems so basic. My T has no problem with me getting attached to him. He knows he's the center of my world and he tries to make that comfortable for me. Even though the treatment approach is different, don't the CBT's have to have a general theory of the mind and dysfunction?Read More...

Wow, MH, and Monte too- I could have written that. I'm so sorry you feel this way, I know it is awful, but it won't last forever- I *have* to believe that. One thing that this whole thing has pointed out to me, is that the whole "cry it out" method of child-rearing that is *still* so prevalent, even in our knowledgable age, is truly hellish for a baby to experience. I knew beyond doubt that I was re-experiencing that in the relationship with my T- before I ever visited this website or did...Read More...

I've been kind of trying to get this info out of my T. Like, please label me! Please show me step-by-step how to get through this! But, I doubt he will, because I'm really good at pretending health and am an over-achiever and a people-pleaser and it might be dangerous to give me the tools to just do what I thought others wanted/expected of me.Read More...

LG: I think this is excellent advice. But very difficult to follow... BBRead More...