Posted by onceupon on April 9, 2009, at 14:45:02
In reply to Re: What is your T. to you?? » onceupon, posted by fleeting flutterby on April 9, 2009, at 14:30:52
As for talking with my therapist directly about our relationship, I should add that it's taken me almost 2 years of therapy with her to get to the point where I'm able to swallow the anxiety enough (with her help) to have these discussions. And I started by sending her several long emails about the topic before I could bring it up face-to-face. I went in to so many sessions determined to talk about it, but just froze. The emails were a nice way to work with that, but I still twist with anxiety when discussing it.
I've started to ask my therapist for a lot of reassurance around these discussions, too. Just last week I asked her if it really is okay to talk about this - it feels so taboo somehow. She patiently reassured me that she is perfectly fine with it, and that it's important that I'm okay with it too.
I know others have written on this board that most therapists should have training in discussing the therapeutic relationship - but there are also some who emphasize it less (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapists).
If you do decide to bring it up with your therapist, I wish you courage! Know that you're definitely not alone in these struggles.
BTW, I love your description of the "grumblers" - it sounds like you're getting ready to kick them to the curb - or at least the parts of them that are standing in your way.
poster:onceupon
thread:889620
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20090328/msgs/889668.html