Posted by daisym on January 11, 2005, at 16:33:24
In reply to Therapy Rage!, posted by rainbowbrite on January 11, 2005, at 15:52:20
One of the dangers here is that you only get to hear about the partial picture, sometimes all bad and sometimes all good. I think therapy is a struggle for EVERYONE, and the orientation of the therapist makes a huge difference in how sessions are conducted and what is talked about. If you read GG's posts, she has said that she prefers one way of relating to clients but she is using a different technique because that is the focus of her clinic right now. It isn't "warm and fuzzy" or long term.
As far as being left hanging, I feel that way sometimes. My therapist seems willing to let me emote all the way up to the last second. I prefer that we pull back at least 5 minutes before I have to leave so I can contain myself. So most of the time, I pull us back. I know other people here have a closing ritual, which always sounded comforting to me. But we don't do that. On the other hand, he doesn't sit silent and wait for me to start. I'm glad of that.
I think you also have to remember that we write about what effects us so you won't read about "mundane" sessions here. I have often left sessions and thought "I want a do over!"
OK, all that said...the relationship is the best part and worse part of therapy for me. It is the reason I get so twisted up and yet I know it is the reason I'm keeping it together. I can only credit my therapist's attention to it. If you had asked me 15 months ago, I would have told you about 1x per week sessions where we were looking at life stressors and goals -- very surface stuff. It took me a while to get connected and dig deep and let him see what I needed from him.
I guess I'm trying to tell you not to compare your experience, but you already know that. I do understand longing for something different. I always am asking people how long it took them to feel better. I think I'm taking forever.
poster:daisym
thread:440723
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050111/msgs/440738.html