Made it through the holidays! ((((Liese)))) Thanks! I'm glad the AD's help you, too. I do remember why I fought the idea of taking them - it was because I had heard it could be really difficult to find the "right" one, and that some of the side effects could be uncomfortable to downright frightening. I am so grateful that the one I tried first seems to work well enough to help with minimal side effects. ((((Pandora)))) So good to see you!! Thank you for popping in to say hi. I hope you had a...Read More...

(((hugs))) I congratulate you on your hard work! I'm going through something similar. I've spent the last 20 months w/my T. I'm going to miss her soooo much! We are ending in April. We have had sessions stretched out for quite a while now. I only see her once every 3 or 4 weeks. Just wanted to let you know that there is yet another person who is going through this too. You are not alone.Read More...

(((Sadly))) I'm sorry to hear about this. I sometimes am like that with my T...imagining sitting next to her opening presents or something. Feels painful. All I can say is stay strong (God I hate saying that because...well, I wish I could magic those feelings away for you!) and you'll see your T soon! You should maybe talk about it? I plan to talk about it with my T. Though it embarrasses me I bite my lip and just do it to hopefully get used to saying such things and get used to being needy...Read More...

I think that's an awesome letter, it says it all and it's to the point and direct. If I were a T I would love to get a letter like that, because it makes what you are dealing with clear! go for it! I hope it went well.. Welcome here, by the way, sorry so late, my computer has been not working off and on. BBRead More...

Merry Christmas everyone x LucinaRead More...

(((TN))) I'm sorry. I can see how awful it would feel to learn that something that symbolized warmth and caring for you holds a different meaning for him. However, I find myself interpreting his comment about it being a marker as a good thing. Perhaps its the human connection and the powerful emotions that a handshake can conjure up that serves to remind him that the two of you are entering into a special union at the beginning of the session, the bond of therapy,etc. And when you shake...Read More...

Well everyone, I would say it's perfectly normal to google our Ts, mostly because I do it She's referenced 000's of times on the internet with all her writings and papers etc but her fp page is tighter than a fish's a*#e!!! I'm very lucky as I do have a very lovely photo that I downloaded before the fb page went into lockdown and it helps me enormously when needed and I turn it over at other times !! Seriously it is SO understandable that when we need then but can't reach out - in my...Read More...

Hi Liese, Thanks for your reply! It's nice to be back on the forums a bit, though I'm easily triggered so I'm still laying a bit low and being careful what I read Turns out that I never got the chance to even acknowledge the one year mark. A whole lot of stuff is going down right now, and we've been otherwise occupied. I think it may end up being a passing thought, a noted observation when things calm down. The whole story is posted in sensitive issues if you want the update. Hope you are...Read More...

Athenacus, I am extremely impressed with all you are doing (you had at me single mother. Parenting is hard enough to do with two people involved). I think continuing as long as you can trusting that things will open up sounds like a good plan. Even if it takes longer than you anticipate, I love what Raven said about it being worth it when you get there. And 43 is still pretty young. A lot of good years left. And you're children will be able to see an example of someone working hard to...Read More...

I used to take part in online ACOA meetings. I started off with Alanon but quickly moved onto ACOA. I have learned something from all te groups I have attended. As long as you stay open minded you will be able to learn. If you stay open minded you will be able to take what you like from those meetings and leave the rest. Another thing I would do if I was you, explore what it is about 12 step programs [or the idea of it] that doesnt sit well with me. Lots can be learned from stirred up...Read More...

Disfunctional families are exhausting. I think you are amazing for what you manage to do. I guess part of the way forward for you is to work out what you can do which does not deplete you too much and create your own boundaries, what you feel you want to do, what you feel is too much,where YOU draw the line. And stick to it.You don't need to tell them, you just know in your head where you draw the line. I had to stop seeing my sister completely nine years ago. She is texting at the moment as...Read More...

Hmmm...I've never heard of mental imagery. I'll have to look it up. What of read of motivational interviewing, I can see aspects that my T does. She listens and empathizes, but has me do the talking and come to conclusions on my own - week, with her gentle questioning. If I go to an intellectual mindset, she totally steers me away from that. The thing I don't think I like about it is it stays completely in the present feelings and she always says she doesn't worry about my past or memories,...Read More...

Hello Sadly I'm in the UK, so I hope too that you are able to have a lovely day today and do something nice JMBRead More...

Thank you both for your thoughts, opinion and understanding. You've brought perspective back in my mind. I never thought of it. It is amazing how our mind can't see something when we're caught up elsewhere. Thank you AG for your explanation. It does ring true. She has made a difference and I feel she could take the good feelings out of a whim.Read More...

Well, I don't know about content per se, but I think there is a delicate balance to what you pick for a starting sentence in terms of how hard it is to draw. If it's too hard to draw or too complicated, the next person might just give up in frustration, or too much will get lost. If it's too easy, you won't get enough change throughout the iterations, so it won't really be funny.Read More...

Frosty, Merry Christmas! Thanks for coming by, it was good to hear from you. AGRead More...

Thanks Deepie. My T isn't big on labels or diagnosing - she just works with what she has!Read More...

Re: Last SessionRead More...

I love all the feedback and variety of answers. I still question so much about myself and my T even after a year. Like forgetmenot said, I wish there was more bantering and such, mine too sits across from me and doesn't say much, but she listens and empathizes. I do like her, but I don't have anything to really compare her to. I hear others talk about hugs and emailing and all, and wonder if I would like that. I still look for any sign that she's going to dump me. And at the same time I cow...Read More...

thank you xoxo! I like your name too. Mine is a wisdom/warrior name. :-) Before I even started therapy I had been reading about humanistic theory, but not realizing it at the time. I think that's one of those things that helped T and I click. She uses an eclectic approach, so that might be why from time to time things go differently in session. Coded stories....she'll use her pets or her relationships with her pets or others to illustrate things to me or to compare something that's going on...Read More...

Thanks for the extra wishes, you guys! It's like a birthday aftershock...in a good way!Read More...

(((incognito))) I'm so sorry. That must have felt awful. There have been times when I have been waiting for a text reply to something from T and H (who is also his client) gets a text about something unrelated. This happened last week. I had sent a text much earlier in the day, just needing to check on the connection or something and asked for a reply. Then, T had sent a text asking that T inform him of scheduling changes first (because I had asked about the next week's schedule for both of...Read More...

Yay, Liese! Happy Birthday! I hope you had a fantastic day. .Read More...