RT, i oftentimes have thought that the jason mraz song was the perfect therapy song. makes my heart all warm and cozyRead More...

I don't think the actual therapist does much of anything at all. They provide a space that one rents.Read More...

Hi Pops, Yep I know about being a mug too; but do you know what? I look around at some others in my life and see how they are two faced about their friends, or how they treat or speak to others and I think I would a zillion times be like me and have a muggish tendancies, than to be hard as nails or two faced. And I know there is a balance between being amenable and being taken for a ride, but better too start soft and try and become more assertive than be hard as nails and have to learn the...Read More...

((((OUTSIDER)))) I'm right there with you in a pretty thick web. You aren't alone.Read More...

((((TN)))) No worries about hijacking. I'm getting discouraged. I did believe there was a road. But I seem to have hit a major obstacle: Me.Read More...

I'm currently in a group and was also in one about 3 years ago. Both were time limited (10 sessions). The first group I didn't find helpful but I think that was partly because the leaders didn't choose the most compatible group. The one I'm in now is for sexual abuse and assault survivors...it's tighter knit and smaller in general. With the topic of the group, I'm having a hard time with how quickly we're having to move through stuff. But I like everyone and even though it's triggering, it's...Read More...

Thanks for all of the wonderful support! I will let you all know how the conference went when get back! Take Care!Read More...

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Turtle...definitely nothing here. Just observations through the week. Hope all is good with you Turtle!Read More...

hi TAS, i used to struggle more with that as well, but i think what helped lately was that i have hope that i might be able to see my T twice a week sometime in the future. there are things preventing it at the moment and i dont know if it will really happen or when, but having hope helped. she also has been ok with me emailing her so i suppose knowing that helps a bit, although i hate doing it (hate myself when i do it as i feel weak, but it does make another part of me happy/ in less...Read More...

thank you so much GE, irishgirl, pingles! today i'm feeling more positive - in the fact that maybe its not that she doesnt care but maybe she is too sick to email / call.... but this is also negative as it worries me, so i'm trying not to think about scenarios.... puppetRead More...

Hi IrishGirl, Thanks for responding and sharing your experiences. Currently taking Lexapro and Welbutrin...I'm not sure how things are working with each one lately and what they're helping with so either it's subtle or else I've forgotten how I used to feel. The T that gave me the diagnosis today is going to consult with the P who prescribes for me to change my meds at my next scheduled P appt. so I probably won't know if there's a difference until I change. He will likely suggest to drop...Read More...

((((BLU)))) What is the context of the stigma around loving our therapists? Just the relationship itself? BLU, At least you are trying. That takes a lot of courage.Read More...

I like that (((B2W))) I would also ask what gift he gave me that he wants me to use to help others. I feel like I don't know for sure.Read More...

Sometimes, I wonder if I should just quit therapy and go back to living my life! Looking for a new T is creating a lot more havoc than I anticipated. I met with one potential so far but she is not a good fit. I could have saved myself time and money if I had know anything about her before we met. On the other hand, I have to say that I learned something about myself and what I am looking for as a result of my session so maybe it wasn't a total waste. She recommended the name of a male T in...Read More...

Wow, it was a tough day yesterday. One that I have not experienced in years. I struggled with it some this morning and went back to bed for several hours. Now, it is just coming in waves. Summer, I think you hit the nail on the head with the changes I am planning with my therapy. I am discounting the amount of stress this is causing me. I am trying to pinpoint a thought or an emotion so that I can process whatever it is that is creating this depression. I took your advice and sent an email...Read More...

Hey Blu, I know that's what they say but when, really, do we get a healthy ending in life? I did read a shrink say that if shrinks in general were truthful with themselves, they'd acknowledge that good endings are for their benefit as well. After all, what shrink could feel good about a bad ending? Maybe I should just consider skyping until I get settled and find another therapist and that might cut down on all this nonsense I'm putting myself through. Awww, Held, thanks for telling me my...Read More...

The thing is I could avoid this distress by just not contacting him and then I could ignore any need to discuss this with him further. I appreciate what you are saying about talking to him about it and creating clear expectations but I really don't do well expressing my needs and being clear on what causes me issues, one of the many reason I am in therapy! Liese, no need to apologise, it's me thinking I'm demanding, not you implying it. TN, I admire how you and your T manage between session...Read More...

My t gives me his notes from our last session when I arrive at my next session. Sometimes We read them, sometimes I don't read them until afterwards. It helps me to understand what his impressions are, what the plan of treatment is, diagnosis, etc. My t is unique, there is only one other patient that he gives them to. I appreciate him doing so.Read More...

Mr. P I use a lot of self talk. A lot negative, but some positive. When things are scary bad, really really bad & I have to talk myself down off that ledge that's very tempting to jump from, I use a mantra that I repeat to myself till I'm grounded. I also try to embrace myself bec id love a hug. You have to make your own mantra that fits you & where you are. For my worst times I use, " you will be ok." Simple & to the point & each time I stress a different word. When I stress...Read More...

(((CAT))) I understand.Read More...

Cat, I would very much like to read the letter your T sent to you. It's incredible that he actually wrote that he enjoyed your helplessness as his little girl. That is very scary indeed. It tells me that he did not want you to heal and grow. My T never said things like that. On the contrary. He was so keen, I think even desperate, for me to become independent or autonomous as they call it, that he became much too distant for the last 10 years, being complete passive. I just felt hopelessly...Read More...

(((Debbye))) I'm sorry his youtube clip didn't help you but I have to say reading it I understood what your T meant. Then I read TN's reply to you and I thought - No way! I completely understand what her T was trying to tell her and to me that story/photography is marvelous, and yet TN saw the grossness in it. I look for those kinds of trees and funnily enough I do photography and have what I would consider the most stunning photos of "damaged" things but here is the thing their uniqueness...Read More...