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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by turtle on December 24, 2008, at 18:03:56
I'm so grateful for my therapist.
I live in an area that usually has pretty mild weather. Most years we see very little snow and not everyone knows how to drive in it. This year its a mess. In the last two weeks we've had what the newscasters are calling a 40 year record for our area. We have layers of snow and ice snarling everything and the snow just keeps coming. I work in a hospital, and it's been a huge struggle to get enough staff members in to cover the needed shifts. Many staff members slept at the hospital because they couldn't get back home. Wrecks and stuck cars are everywhere.
I was so disappointed about the snow storm. I didn't want to miss therapy this week. I had a little Christmas tree ornament to give my T and it would seem a little weird to give it to her after Christmas was over. Plus, we had planned to use that session to talk about preparing for the impact of seeing my family over Christmas since Thanksgiving had hit me so hard. The previous session we had also just talked about how I'm struggling again with an inner need to disconnect and run away from therapy, and time apart would make that urge more difficult for me. But a snow and ice storm, what could I do? My therapist is 60 and works part time. The thought of putting her at risk on the snow or her wrestling with tire chains was a bit horrifying to me and brought out protective feelings. Of course we would cancel our session.
The night before the session I didn't hear anything from her and I started to get a bit worried. When I checked in with her the morning of the appointment she said "Yes, I'm in the office today. I'll see you at 4, unless of course you can't make it in." She acted like it was just another day at the office, and she was already there! Two days before Christmas *and* in a snowstorm!
Isn't it amazing how much "being there for you" can effect you? When I really realized that she was *there* for me, and cared, it made me want to cry. I still feel very amazed and thankful. (It's all mixed in with some complex feelings of being unworthy and a little afraid of what someone being there for me means. Much to work on!) I feel very fortunate to have her for my therapist.
My Christmas mood just had a bit of "wonderment" added to the mix. (Thank you, T!)
I hope you all have happy holidays.
Turtle
Posted by Annierose on December 24, 2008, at 21:50:49
In reply to So grateful, posted by turtle on December 24, 2008, at 18:03:56
I'm glad she was there for you and yes, that is a wonderful feeling.
I live in Michigan so I am accustomed to snow, sleet and ice ... just not so much all at once and day after day ... it hasn't stopped!
From past experience, I knew my therapist would not cancel our sessions due to weather .... but I drive, on a normal day, a solid 20 - 25 minutes to get to her office. After driving 5 - 10 mph for an hour I told her I wasn't sure I would come the following day. Driving was scary.
I think it points to the importance the relationship plays in our lives. And a good therapist understands that. Hold onto that wonderful feeling as we nagivate the stresses of the holiday.
Posted by Poet on December 25, 2008, at 11:01:16
In reply to So grateful, posted by turtle on December 24, 2008, at 18:03:56
Hi Turtle,
Neither rain nor sleet nor snow keeps your T from getting to the office- she is a real keeper. Okay, mine cancelled due to snow, but it was really bad outside even though I'm where snow is the norm this time of year.
Did she like the ornament?
Poet
Posted by turtle on January 1, 2009, at 12:58:07
In reply to So grateful, posted by turtle on December 24, 2008, at 18:03:56
Annierose and Poet
I'm sorry it took me so long to respond, all the way from one holiday to the next! It's been a stressful week. I do appreciate your replies even though I didn't say it soon enough.
Annierose I can't imagine living where so much snow is the norm. I'm so relieved it is gone this week where I live. I think you are right that it points to the importance of the relationship. Keeping the appointment (even in the snow) was important to me, but I'm the one getting the benefit. I didn't expect her to have any of the same motivation and saw that it would be easier for her to cancel. When she showed up anyway it helped me to see a little clearer that only part of what she does is "doing her job," and the rest is in relationship territory (stability, caring, making an effort even when it is hard, etc.) It sounds like you had to think a bit about whether it was worth the risk too. I agree driving in snow for long distances can be scary!
Poet I am sorry that you missed your session. I did hesitate before writing my post because I didn't want to be insensitive to those who couldn't make their sessions. It sounds like snow is heavy this year in quite a few areas! I decided to go for it though because it felt good to share something positive as it came up. Yes, the ornament went over well, thanks for asking. Gift giving is scary!
Thanks,
Turtle
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