Aw, BB, this post is so lovely of you. Reading it brought tears to my eyes. Now I know which thread to revisit when I feel I need a little encouragement. Thank you.Read More...

Aw...Frosty that would be the kind of thing that would really get to me too. I mean- it's just SO insensitive and downright rude. How are you- where's my book...for the third time? seriously?Read More...

You all brought up such valid points, thank you. I will give him a card (already bought THE perfect one!) and not feel any distress over it. I think what threw me was not just my friend's words but all the scoffing that went along with them. I felt like a little kid being laughed at for some "silly" idea, you know? But I love what was said about following my heart, and that's what I'm going to do. Thank you for understanding. StarryRead More...

Countertransference can be a good thing if it is noticed by the T and managed well. It can be a disaster when the T is blind to it, refuses to deal with it and uses it in a way that plays into the transference rather than helping the transference in ways as BG pointed out above. All T's have countertransference to one degree or another. It isn't usually about sex though it can be. It can be about many things, but it is something that needs to be managed and paid attention to. Being on the...Read More...

You know TN, I am OK with leather generally, but I don't really think it's cozy enough for T furniture. Also I might slide around too much on it and not feel very grounded. I dunno...Read More...

Hoosier, hi. The only thing I can relate this to for me is a dream I had about my T was that she went to school and then quit being a therapist because of it. I waited a few weeks after I had the dream, but I did ask her, "Are you going to school?" She answered, without hesitation, because it was about psychological testing, then asked me why. I told her about my dream. She asked if I was worried. Yes, of course I was. I didn't want to lose her. She does seem to do more testing and...Read More...

So... after going away, thinking of things and doing a lot of processing and such... I find myself freaked out about our next session. Between this, and the homework she gave me... the amount of ugly junk that came up just seems... like a step backwards. And I'm afraid that when I go there and see her... and bring this stuff up...it will be this giant disappointment for her. In the past couple of sessions, it seems like she's been doing more of the changing gears stuff... (As above)..and I...Read More...

ND, I've never seen my innermost fears put into words like this. I can really relate to what you've said, thank you. StarryRead More...

((SD))) thanks for relating. I told my T. That's how I found out more about her approach. I got extemely frustrated. I have no problem telling her what up. I ask so often to just talk but my Ts are so delicate and fragile and careful with me. Even my regular t called me yesterday after I cancelled on her to "keep our connection" when I called her. I think thy are worried it will flood and hurt me but I feel hurt not feeling heard. I do my skills well and often grrRead More...

Hi We'll see how my session goes today. There is more to my therapy story that I'm not going to share here, because I've told some therapist friends of mine about this board and I don't want to give away all of my info here. Update-I had my session- It ended up ok, but not great. T right away started off on a topic that irritates us both. Then, T seemed to not remember much about my story. I needed to remind her of several things. I understand that she has many clients and has a hard time...Read More...

wow. i am a sucker for appearances im learing to stop this, big reason for my social anxiety he asked me if i cared what he thought being a man in our third. i looked at him innocently as said 'no this is professional' so he knows i'm naive! he just watched me and beamed and said yees!Read More...

Thank you AG, I checked it out and it looks like what I need Maybe it's crazy but I had never heard of the notion until I started therapy.Read More...

Shameful, I have been forbearing, knowing that you were upset over your friend being barred from the forum, but this is enough. You are not trying to discuss anything, you are using a forum you insist you detest, to attack and defame the people on it. If what you are saying is your idea of kindness and sensitivity, I am glad to know you do not perceive those qualities in anyone here. I am closing this thread. If you start another thread with more abusive posting, that will be closed and your...Read More...

This cutie reminds me of the inner child in all of us, and how one day when healing has been done we can return to that state of joy in our purest form. So, when I am sad I am going to look at Happy Skippy Jumpy face and remind myself that is why I am doing all of this.Read More...

That’s great news Unbroken! Sounds like you needed to get to the point of, what the hell I’ve nothing to lose so I may as well be as honest as I can in order to open up to T, and it paid off handsomely. I’m so pleased you’ve managed to connect so deeply with her and that you don’t have to go through the pain of trying to find another T. And also glad that things with this T are sounding so positive. By the way, did you cancel with the other T you’d decided to see in the end? It sounds like...Read More...

(((HIC))) you're lovely, thanks for understanding. Sorry to stir you up too. Thankfully, I got this mega crappy issue worked out with my T today. When things aren't right with that woman I'm a bloody mess.Read More...

((Ninn)) I like kashley's advice and I'm so sorry that it feels so difficult for your T to connect to the experiences you've had and feelings you've had. A T's job is to connect with us empathetically enough to 'see' the world from our eyes. I have trouble telling my T things she has heard before (either stuff from me, or stuff I assume she's heard from everyone) it makes it very hard and very scary... I think because we need to look at things from so many angles it makes sense we need to...Read More...

Yaku, I love that your T already anticipated that his comment might have brought up some stuff. You're right - it is a risk to let someone give you so much, but he is the exactly *right* person to take that risk with, because he's the one that will help you establish new connections and relearn that not everyone is completely unsafe (something I still have yet to learn). Did his explanation help settle everything a bit? I've always been so caught up in making sure that I'm an easy, totally...Read More...

Hey Lampers - really good to see you. Thanks for the congratulations. It's coming down to the last two weeks, and I'm super stressed because I really want to make sure that I stay as Summa Cum Laude, because my Bio Psych class is a bit of a challenge! At the very least, I will get to walk at graduation as Summa - but I'll just feel like a liar if my diploma doesn't say it as well. Or maybe that's just the perfectionist, OCD in me talking. Thanks for posting, LL - it's so great to hear from...Read More...

Taylor Swift's Mean helps me: You, with your words like knives and swords and weapons that you use against me You have knocked me off my feet again got me feeling like I'm nothing You, with your voice like nails on a chalkboard, calling me out when I'm wounded You, pickin' on the weaker man Well, you can take me down with just one single blow But you don't know what you don't know Someday I'll be living in a big old city And all you're ever gonna be is mean Someday I'll be big enough so you...Read More...

Hi LL, Thanks for following up here with me. I'm always back and forth with this therapy stuff but YES it has gotten very intrusive for now. This is a good place to go back and read the support from everyone and like a journal for the counseling. HopefulRead More...

Hi incognito... I'm glad you were able to talk to your T about the dream and how it made you feel. It seems like your emotions are back again too. It was good to hear that you felt comforted by your T and I do hope you can hold onto that comfort until you see him again. How are you doing today? Thanks for the update. I was thinking of you. TNRead More...

Ack! Am I right in understanding that most of you guys are able to shed tears WITHOUT an accompanying runny nose? I must be built the wrong way or something, the moment tears come to my eyes my nose goes out in sympathy. The few times I have cried in therapy (and then only a few tears that I couldn't keep from brimming over) I've HAD to grab a tissue because of the damn nose (and had to try VERY QUIETLY to blow my nose without honking the place down or sitting there feeling embarrassed about...Read More...

hi Perri, nice to meet you and welcome to the forums! i can seriously relate to all of it except the jealousy part. being 7 out of 8 kids i do have jealous feelings that i am aware of, but nothing that i'm too concerned about. i SO relate to the rest of it, though ... feeling like an outsider EVERYWHERE, even in my own warped family, feeling judged all the time. it hurts terribly and it sucks and i know it's my imagination but that doesn't seem to make a damn bit of difference. so you're...Read More...

SD -- I did want to say THANK YOU for sharing your experience that is awesome. Just reading the phrase 'cock up' made my day Scattered -- thanks for the good wishes I was waiting to update for when I would have that AMAZING session. I've had a few okay sessions since this post, and this week was back to "this shit sucks". I do feel like I am making a major mess of therapy!!! GahhhRead More...