Posted by Dinah on June 6, 2005, at 20:44:51
In reply to Re: Approximate relationships, posted by cricket on June 1, 2005, at 11:49:45
I think what he says is true for people like me, at least. Having a relationship is a stretch for me, and my usual reaction to difficulty in a relationship is to emotionally withdraw and eventually, if it continues, to emotionally divorce and keep a superficial and cordial relationship with none of what I want in it.
For my therapist, the challenge has been to teach me that I can stay connected and work through problems and reach new levels of intimacy. So the therapeutic relationship has been the teaching vehicle for that.
Unfortunately, the other people in my life (my family) don't work with me like he does, and I still choose to emotionally withdraw and divorce. I have a lot of cordial relationships. :(
He hurt me to my core today though. Or he should have, if I had been feeling close to him. He was talking about how the therapeutic relationship was a real one. But in doing so he pointed out that it was also clearly unreal.
Ouch.
I really ought to be hurt and angry.
poster:Dinah
thread:491935
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050606/msgs/508815.html