Posted by Solstice on November 12, 2010, at 9:44:24
In reply to Re: Therapy and termination, posted by Annabelle Smith on November 12, 2010, at 9:23:10
> I just needed to come on here for a minute to say this. I go to my therapist today at 4pm. It is 9 in the morning now, and the moment I got up I felt so anxious. Last night I was fine and felt ready-- like I had all of these things to say to him and I could really say them. Now, my hands are already tingling and I can play the whole session in my head, see myself walk in and sit down, mutter and stutter, say nothing, not be present, watch myself, and leave-- and feel despair. I have already ruined the session and it hasn't even happened yet.
You're anxious because you don't know with absolute certainty what kind of reaction you'll get. I've experienced that same anxiety quite a bit myself!
> What should I do/think about in the intervening time before my session to be real and present when I get there? When I get there, I feel like I need a line or something to say to get it started-- but I have like 100 lines and things to say. When I go in there and sit on the couch, then what? Can you help?
What helps me: i] think about who you know this therapist to be. Does he tend to have understanding and compassionate responses? He'll stick to his pattern; ii) What is the worst thing in the world he would likely say? Think about the worst thing you might hear. Imagine him really saying it! And then think about the fact that even if he said something that hurt you - it won't kill you. You might have to find another therapist, but you would survive it.
Why don't you take whatever you've written down in with you. Sit down, and say something like "I've been an anxious mess all day. I wrote all this stuff down because I'm just being flooded with things I need to talk about, and I don't know where to start." There. Now he knows the most important thing. You need him to help you get started. I'll bet he'll figure out a way to do that.
Take a deep breath Annabelle! You will get through this, and I'm betting that when you walk out, you may not have had time to get all the answers you need, but you will have gotten started and you will feel so much better.
Solstice
poster:Solstice
thread:969714
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20101023/msgs/969930.html