![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by rubenstein on October 28, 2004, at 9:55:50
Yesterday was so awful. An hour before my session I found out my best friend in the world might have Aids. I was so stunned and I just wasn't myself in therapy. He was understanding but I know that I frustrate him at times. IN the middle of the session he asked if I wanted to see someone else, and if I did that that would be okay. I never cry in therapy but started tearing up becuase I really like my therapist and I don't want to see anyone else. I think I am making progress even if it is small or whatever. I said I didn't want to see anyone else and asked if he didn't want to see me anymore, and I can't quite remember what he said although I am sure it wasn't "no I don't want to see you anymore." I wonder if that is what he meant though. I am probably overanalyzing things because he is usally really straightforward with me. I just can't lose that lifeline right now. I am so scared. How can I bring it up??? Oh and then later that day I found out that my friend had tried to commit suicide the night before and I just couldn't deal with it and I SI'd.....it had been almost 3 weeks....oh well. Maybe I am a bad patient.
Posted by fallsfall on October 28, 2004, at 11:25:45
In reply to hard session (help) might trigger, posted by rubenstein on October 28, 2004, at 9:55:50
It is a bit confusing to me why he would ask if you wanted to see someone else... Could he have been interpreting that you didn't *want* to see him anymore - and trying to give you a comfortable way to make a change?
You should definately talk to him about this. Read your post to him, if necessary. I would also think that it might be appropriate to give him a phone call, and tell him that you are afraid that you might lose him - and that you have too much hard stuff going on right now. If he has been straight with you before, he will be straight with you now. When is your next session? Maybe you shouldn't wait to talk to him until then.
Your situation with your friend sounds very, very hard. You can't remove their pain - only they can work through their own pain and their own life. You can love them and empathize with them and keep them company. But if you don't take care of yourself, you won't be able to even do that.
Posted by alexandra_k on October 28, 2004, at 18:22:33
In reply to hard session (help) might trigger, posted by rubenstein on October 28, 2004, at 9:55:50
Yeah, I think Fall's might be on to something. It sounds like your T isn't so sure that you think things are going well, and he may be trying to give you an easy way out.
I would suggest doing something nice for him. Maybe send him a card to let him know how much you find seeing him to be helpful, and letting him know that you are happy with him and you don't want to see anyone else. (Or whatever is appropriate to your T's boundaries, maybe an email or a letter, or just tell him).
Maybe he needs some positive reinforcement.
You might even get him to blush :-)
Posted by rubenstein on October 29, 2004, at 9:23:37
In reply to Re: hard session (help) might trigger, posted by alexandra_k on October 28, 2004, at 18:22:33
Thanks fallsfalls and alexandra-k, I called him this morning to try to clarify things in my mind...hopefully he will call back today and we can sort things out...I don't call very often so that was kind of scary, but I actually feel a little better jsut because I made the call. I'll let you know what happens
Posted by Daisym on October 29, 2004, at 18:50:21
In reply to Re: hard session (help) might trigger, posted by rubenstein on October 29, 2004, at 9:23:37
I hope he called back and you can work this out. Sounds like it was a tough session. Hang in there. It is amazing how these clarifying moments can move therapy forward.
Hugs,
Daisy
Posted by rubenstein on October 30, 2004, at 13:58:03
In reply to Re: hard session (help) might trigger, posted by Daisym on October 29, 2004, at 18:50:21
he did call back, and we sort of figured things out. I think he was just trying to let me know that if I ever wanted to try another therapist out that it would be okay. I feel much better about things, I was so afraid that he didn't like me or something....I guess I have some trust issues and have always been so afraid that he will terminate me. Thanks to everyoen for their support and helping me find courage to make that call so I can actually enjoy this beautiful weekend.
Rubenstein> I hope he called back and you can work this out. Sounds like it was a tough session. Hang in there. It is amazing how these clarifying moments can move therapy forward.
> Hugs,
> Daisy
Posted by alexandra_k on October 31, 2004, at 1:00:14
In reply to Re: hard session (help) might trigger, posted by rubenstein on October 30, 2004, at 13:58:03
Yay! I am so happy for you.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Psychology | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.