![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on September 3, 2003, at 20:30:48
I suppose this really belongs on Psychological Babble, but I'm not sure you read it.
I was pleasantly surprised. I went in with my angst over being alone and unable to be my true self with anyone but him. And warned him now was not the time to tell me how to make myself more acceptable to others. :) And he said that the underbelly I showed to him wasn't that horrible, and I had no reason to keep it such a secret. I'm not sure if I believe him, but I think it might have given me a shame shaker upper. Which I suppose we all need from time to time.
Posted by Tabitha on September 3, 2003, at 20:42:15
In reply to Tabitha, Did you get nagged this week?, posted by Dinah on September 3, 2003, at 20:30:48
but only because I went in and told her not to nag me. She said it would be even better if I could tell her what I *did* want instead of what I didn't want, but I didn't really know what I wanted.
But then... she brought up the issue that she's been reserving a double session for me and I've not been wanting to stay the whole time, and now she wants me to decide in advance how much time I need, or else pay the whole amount. :-( I used to have the last session of the day, so I was used to staying for whatever length felt comfortable. So I've asked for 1.5 sessions next week. We'll see how that goes. I've been in this free-running length mode for a long time.
I also said I'd start the therapy group in 2 weeks, assuming my depression doesn't spiral down to the bottom in the mean time. Then she'll be in the dual role again, which I'm not sure is such a great thing, but I'm hoping for the best.
Posted by Dinah on September 3, 2003, at 21:16:38
In reply to Re: No, I got coddled :-), posted by Tabitha on September 3, 2003, at 20:42:15
Ahh, sometimes they surprise us. Well, we both asked for what we needed, or at least what we didn't need. Mine prefers I make a positive statement too, and it always stymies me. How do you say I need you to wrap me in a warm blanket of security? Well, I've actually been known to say that, but it's hard and he is sometimes flummoxed by it.
It's a shame that you don't have the last session any more. One and a half seems reasonable. Maybe when group starts you can go down to one. Or maybe you'll need two. :)
Will you let me know how group goes? I've been pretty convinced I can't handle it, and I'd like to know if it isn't as bad as I assume. I don't think I'd like it with my therapist though. He might be different with others than he is with me, and I wouldn't like that.
Posted by Tabitha on September 3, 2003, at 23:55:21
In reply to Re: No, I got coddled :-) » Tabitha, posted by Dinah on September 3, 2003, at 21:16:38
I guess I'd have to say 'I need you to say something to make me feel better.' I wonder if that's specific enough.
I'll keep you updated on the group over on PPB. I don't remeber if I posted about this before, but I tried her groups a few years ago. One broke up from too many people dropping out, and the second one-- I got kicked out. Major trauma for me, but after quitting therapy over it we eventually reconciled. That was in 99. So the worst has already happened.
Posted by Dinah on September 4, 2003, at 13:01:48
In reply to Re: No, I got coddled :-) » Dinah, posted by Tabitha on September 3, 2003, at 23:55:21
I remember you saying that now. And I probably forgot because it's just so darn hard to believe. Do you think you've got the tools now to make the group situation more profitable for you this time?
I guess having had the worst happen does take some of the anxiety out. I congratulate you on your fortitude, Tabitha. I really do. You should be proud of yourself.
Posted by Tabitha on September 4, 2003, at 13:41:52
In reply to Re: No, I got coddled :-) » Tabitha, posted by Dinah on September 4, 2003, at 13:01:48
it was almost worth getting kicked out, er, 'removed' just for the unbelievable story aspect of it. 'I joined group therapy to work on my problem with social rejection... and I got kicked out!'
I think it will be better. The problem then was (1) I was just too depressed to connect with people (2) I wasn't open to the idea that my certainty about other members feelings toward me could just possibly be my own projection. Oh, and (3) one time I had an angry reaction to something someone said and walked out 10 minutes before the end of the session. I don't seem to blow up like that anymore. I think now I could actually stay in my seat and say I'm feeling a lot of anger right now.
It sure brought up a lot of stuff for me. I think it will be better now. My therapist thinks I'm ready. She thinks I might benefit from relationships with some of the group members. I want to learn to connect with people, and there's nobody else to practice on right now.
Posted by Dinah on September 4, 2003, at 13:58:38
In reply to Re: No, I got coddled :-) » Dinah, posted by Tabitha on September 4, 2003, at 13:41:52
Posted by fallsfall on September 4, 2003, at 20:22:05
In reply to Re: No, I got coddled :-) » Dinah, posted by Tabitha on September 4, 2003, at 13:41:52
Good luck in Group Tabitha! I'll look forward to hearing about it
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Social | 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.