Posted by HannahW on October 3, 2003, at 19:17:14
In reply to Re: Therapy can seem so cruel » HannahW, posted by Dinah on October 3, 2003, at 18:33:09
I can always count on you two to respond to me. Oh my goodness! Typing that very sentence made me cry!
Oh that felt good. I've been needing that. Thank you.
>>>Part of feeling safe is knowing how they feel about us. That at least they like us a fair amount.
I agree. But my therapist said if she gratified my need for reassurance then I might become afraid to disclose something out of fear of losing her approval. She did say she liked my sense of humor, though. And I actually thought I saw warmth in her eyes when I was leaving.
>>>We undress emotionally each week before our therapists
I love that illustration! The one from "In Session" was especially good. "Seeing a therapist is like seeing a prostitute. Even though it's awkward, you quickly get undressed so you can get what you came for. Then, just when you're feeling relaxed you have to hurry up and put your clothes back on so someone else can use the room." Too funny! (And too true!)
>>>Lonely because you didn't get the reassurance?
Sort of. More specifically I think I felt lonely because I was craving an intimate exchange, and all I got was one-sided therapy.
>>>You did a great job bringing that up. That took a lot of courage.
Thank you. I had brought it up a couple of times before, but she always directed the conversation toward related things, but never addressing our relationship specifically. I had to come right out and tell her we had to talk about the two of us.
>>>I am trying really hard not to get too dependent on him.
Me too. I hope that doesn't interfere with our therapy. Some say that transference is integral to the healing process, but it also turns a person's world upside down.
>>>I would keep talking about it until it isn't an issue for you anymore. Your loneliness says to me that it still is an issue.
I think you're right. <sigh> Progress, at least. Progress.
Thanks, you two for the good cry. I even had a second one in the middle.
poster:HannahW
thread:265255
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030925/msgs/265343.html