Posted by peddidle on June 9, 2007, at 0:24:00
In reply to hard to leave..., posted by sunnydays on June 8, 2007, at 21:21:26
All the time!!
I always find myself kind of half consciously/half subconsciously stalling at the end of a session. I'll take even longer than usual to answer a simple question, or I start to look extra upset. I don't know if it's because I'm so upset about leaving, or because I'm trying to make her think that I need to stay longer. Maybe a little of both. Either way, my T is wonderful. Sometimes I genuinely need to stay longer and she's fine with that-- I was the last appointment of the day last semester, so it usually wasn't a problem... there was only one time when I felt really bad about it because she had already said at the beginning that she needed to end early, and then she kind of had to keep telling me that I had to go. That was the only time that happened though, so I'm sure it was a unique circumstance.
It sounds like your T handles the situation well, too. I admire you for being able to tell him that you have difficulty leaving. I'm sure my T knows that I have that problem, but I can't imagine actually saying it.
I know how odd it feels when your T is standing behind you. My T would often walk out with me on her way to the bathroom. I don't know why it's awkward, but as comfortable as we feel with our T's during the session, it feels weird to interact with them outside of that room, even if we're just in the doorway. Then again, maybe that's just me and my insecurities.
As far as making it less painful in between sessions, the only thing I know is that the longer I go without seeing my T, the less painful it becomes. I'm kind of supposed to be emailing my T over the summer, but I'm trying to hold out for a few weeks (it's been two so far). When I email her, I basically feel compelled to sit at my computer all day and wait for a reply. The last session before a break is always the worst, because I know I won't see her for so long, but it gets a little easier with each passing week. Then, of course, it starts right back up again the next time I see her. I'm not suggesting that you stop seeing your T weekly (believe me, I still miss my T and I wish I could see her over the summer), but I'm just letting you know that you're not alone, and it'll get better.
Actually, that was probably pretty useless and obvious advice.
If you find something that works for that weekly longing, let me know!
poster:peddidle
thread:761923
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20070525/msgs/761952.html