Posted by Garnet71 on September 12, 2009, at 11:42:54
In reply to Re: T self disclosure and transference » Garnet71, posted by Dinah on September 12, 2009, at 10:00:31
"I was truly shocked to discover that my therapist rarely made such elaborate plans. I had gone into therapy thinking that my therapist would know all sorts of Machiavellian tools of mind manipulation, and would structure our interactions to produce the effect he wanted. But happily, and sadly, this was not so. I had to give up on the notion of an omnipotent, omniscient therapist in control of the situation, and settle for someone with professional training blundering ahead with me on a path that was uniquely mine, so that he can't possibly know where he's going any more than I can."
Hahaha Dinah. That's how the last T was; and it was mind manipulation--he was very authoritive and controlled the whole process, keeping me in a high-state of anxiety while agressively probing, pressure, confronting, tearing down all my defenses before he even knew me. I never got a word in unless he asked, or more like directed. I don't think its safe though, at least not for those with childhood trauma and/or abuse issues. Maybe later in the process it would have been ok, but not 2nd session...If you think you might want that, just ask an analyst if they practice short-term, intensive psychodynamic therapy using methods like Davanloo - and you'll get manipulated. lol
My new T seems more like yours, in this aspect, he lets me lead the process. I think the creation of the safe bubble just progressed naturally. The presence was so incredibly strong and concrete though, that's why it seemed he had some kind of technique/plan to create it. Well I'm going to tell him about this next session, and see if he did it on purpose or if it just came naturally.
When T and I discovered my core issues recently, mainly with authority figures, he told me his very first thought in reaction to my insight was what happened with last T/PDoc. He knows him well, and when I presented this insight to new PDoc, he immediately connected this, and told me how my core issues totally explained my reaction to last T. Last T was very authoritive and despite, the manipulation, I perceived him as very protective in words and nature. There are other contextual issues with last T, my present T and I identified, such as my thoughts about some things i knew about him that led me to think he he had a strong ability to help me as my life was falling apart and last 3 psychiatrists did not help me, but that was the main thing.
I never thought he was modifying because of last experience, but that could be part of it. He did tell me he doesn't agree with old-school type of therapy though, and is self-disclosing in nature. But maybe he is lighter with me due to last experience. It's a really good alliance, though. I feel lucky to have him. I just hope it can work this way. I am so motivated to change, to overcome all my issues. I'm sick of not living to my potential. Last T certainly did speed up the process by being so agressive and blank screen. Just an intuitive feeling-I feel like it save a whole year. lol thanks
poster:Garnet71
thread:916433
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20090907/msgs/916678.html