How many sessions do you have to attend as a Therapist in training? What is the hardest part about training as a Therapist?

Glad you are feeling closer to your new T

T.

(((Athenacus)))

Some T's view offering a client a tissue as taking control out of their hands, and so they intentionally do not offer a tissue. I wonder if your new T has aligned herself with this philosophy. I think Ryan Howes spoke about this on Psychology Today.

In the first session with my new T, I was very, very close to crying and I wasn't even quite sure what it was about, so I can relate to that. Hope your classes and everything else are going well.

Kashley-interesting view point on the tissue box. I never heard of that. I'll have to look into that or ask T about that.

TAS-in my T training program we aren't required to attend our own therapy, but we are highly encouraged to do so. For some classes we can even get extra credit. I just read in one of my books the other day something about Therapist know thyself, which I take to mean you better work on your own issues before you start counseling clients (umm...not that our issues are ever completely resolved). I think it means that we must have a certain amount of self-understanding before dealing with other people's stuff.
I've been in therapy for 3 years now with the majority of the time being with one T. I started going to therapy when I found out my now ex-husband was having an affair. I was being abused and I didn't realize it. I had no idea what was going on in my life and how to get out of a bad situation. My former T was my life line. I left her due to her offer to possibly intern at her office in a couple of years. My insurance ran out with her and I didn't want to have to go through the exemption paper work crap and have her do the same thing and not get paid much. I also felt at the time that maybe I needed a different type of therapy or needed to do therapy closer to my school, where I would be spending a lot of time.
You asked what the hardest part of training as a therapist is...hmmm...soo far it's trying to fit in all the studying around other life stuff. Also, going through the readings and having "aha" moments sometimes about my own behavior and making connections to abuse and the way I feel. Another thing that is difficult for me is playing therapist during class role plays and finding the words to say to the "client". I'm great at listening, non verbal attending, being present with the person, but have a hard time trying to come up with some sort of response after they are done talking. Sometimes I freeze up. I'm working on my anxiety and trying to break through that.
I have this fear of messing people up (harming) unintentionally.
Well, I better go. I have three chapters I'm suppose to have done in two hours.

Thanks for reading!