Posted by mair on December 31, 2004, at 10:12:57
In reply to My first double session day, posted by daisym on December 31, 2004, at 2:46:02
I had one of those once several years ago with a different therapist. It wasn't so much that we were going to run out of time to talk about things, as it was his strong on-the-spot insistence that I start to involve my husband in my treatment - it was right before Christmas; I was pretty depressed and very isolated; and I think it really bothered my T that my husband didn't have a clue as to what kind of shape I was in, or how serious my depression was. It felt strange to leave his office, go home, announce to my husband that my T wanted to see both of us that afternoon, and go pretty much right back there. My T then was in a fairly large practice and I felt embarrassed to be reporting to the receptionist for the second time in the same afternoon. I didn't want anyone there noticing that I was back again, since his office was right in the middle of my very small town, I even worried about whether people would notice how long my car was parked right outside that building. The 2 of us spent probably close to another 2 hours with him so it really was like a triple session day. It was exhausting and I took it in a very self-judgmental way as evidence as to how far I had sunk.
I, too, am generally pretty happy with the 50 minute hour. My T gave me my December bill yesterday and I was a taken aback when I saw that we had twice this month run way over so I had been charged on those days for a session and a half. I just had forgotten about those sessions and it's pretty rare that I'm not the one who's really watching the clock and who is most anxious to have a session be over. Even those slightly longer sessions are mentally draining.
I read your posts alot and I'm always very impressed, and frankly a little jealous of the depth with which you're able to communicate with your T. I think the important thing to hold onto is not that this means you're getting needier, or that your T thinks you are on shakier mental ground - I think you need to view this as an isolated instance where, on that day, having an extra session was the most expeditious way to progress with the work that you and he needed to do. That extra session may not have seemed as fruitful to you because you struggled so much, but I'm sure it layed the groundwork for the next session.
Mair
poster:mair
thread:435924
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20041228/msgs/435973.html