Posted by muffled on August 31, 2006, at 18:29:29
In reply to Email protocol, posted by All Done on August 31, 2006, at 17:23:51
> Yesterday, I was explaining to my T how difficult it is for me to pick up the phone and call him even if I'm in a really bad place. I've only called him a handful of times in three years without a specific reason like rescheduling.
***Yeah, its tough isn't it. Even when I HAVE called, I'm usu. so paralyzed I can't talk, or I'm stoned and not terribly rational.....
>
> He asked if having his email address would help. I'm not sure, but maybe it would. I told him that, so he gave me his address. Then, at the end of the session, he told me if I'm feeling nervous or like I would be bothering him too much if I called or emailed, I should ignore those feelings and contact him.***WHOAH!!!!! Nice T !!!!
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> Of course, I'm feeling calmer today. He has a way of helping me with that and I don't even realize it's happening. But, I still have questions. What kinds of things would be acceptable for using email? Should I expect or not expect a reply? Should I ask for a reply? I think I have some ideas of how I might use it, if the need arises, but I'd like to hear what you all think.***Yeah, my T keeps me grounded somehow. Dunno why either.
It might be VERY good to have some basic guidelines in place right away to save misunderstandings.
Eg. T don't reply unless specifically asked to.
Restrict # and length of e-mails, cuz they DON'T replace therapy, and sometimes if you've e-mailed, somehow it feels like somethings been dealt with but really hasn't.
I use faxes as a way to say stuff I would normally not be able to bring myself to say. Then we talk about the faxes at the next session. Works pretty good. Though we can never get thru it all each time. Which can be a little frustrating. But I've learned it'll all come around in good time.
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> I know some of you use email. Do you make it a regular or frequent form of communication? Do you write a lot or keep them short? Do you still call? More or less frequently?***I use fax. Usu. one or 2 a week. I try to keep it to 2 pages at most. I rarely call to talk cuz I freeze up anyhow. Pretty much have to be stoned to call.
I've got a couple of nice voicemail messages saved that my T has left me. Sometimes(more often than I would like to admit!!!)I listen to them, and that helps calm me.
One of the voicemails is positively inspired and I love it, and it helps me lots.
Mebbe you could have your T leave you a nice voicemail to have?
>
> Thanks for your thoughts, everyone.**Yeah, you take care
Muffled
poster:muffled
thread:681785
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20060826/msgs/681798.html