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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TherapyGirl on April 28, 2010, at 19:06:26
I had my first session. It went surprisingly well, although I'm really tired now. She passed all the dealbreakers (like if she really disapproved of me being in therapy for 25 years or didn't get the level of grief I feel at losing my T). She got the snapshot view of my issues, my history and what my goals are. She asked good questions and seemed to get things without tons of background.
She doesn't have another opening until the first week in June. She's going to call me if she has a cancellation. I think that's okay, though. I really want this to be different than therapy with my T and I think this will help.
She also gave me a breathing exercise that I've already used and seems to work and told me to get David Burns' Feeling Good workbook. I tried to buy it tonight, but the bookstore didn't have it, so I'll look for it online.
So we're off to a good start. And I still felt like crying when I left because I miss MY T.
Posted by Annierose on April 28, 2010, at 19:24:13
In reply to First session with new T, posted by TherapyGirl on April 28, 2010, at 19:06:26
So glad it went well. Surprised that her first opening until June wasn't a deal breaker. But that's me and my issues rearing its ugly head.
It was a giant leap of faith to go to that appointment. Takes so much courage. I'm very proud of you.
Posted by Dinah on April 28, 2010, at 20:35:54
In reply to First session with new T, posted by TherapyGirl on April 28, 2010, at 19:06:26
That's great! Not criticizing long therapy relationships is a *big* one.
One nice thing about CBT is that there is always plenty to do between sessions.
If you do stay with her, how often does she think she'll be seeing you? If she can't fit you in for a month, that might mean she's a good therapist and booked up well in advance. But at that point will she have time to see you at an optimal schedule?
Congratulations for taking that very big step. And it's extra admirable that you didn't hold her not being *your* therapist against her. :)
Posted by TherapyGirl on April 29, 2010, at 17:48:41
In reply to Re: First session with new T, posted by Annierose on April 28, 2010, at 19:24:13
Thanks, Annie. The June thing was a deal breaker for a few minutes, but then I realized that could really work for me -- to have this T be more of a Coach and less of a relationship. You know? I'll let you know how that works out. :-)
Posted by TherapyGirl on April 29, 2010, at 17:50:34
In reply to Re: First session with new T » TherapyGirl, posted by Dinah on April 28, 2010, at 20:35:54
Thanks, Dinah. We didn't talk specifics about how I would fit in her schedule, but theoretically I'd be able to see her every couple of weeks at first. I'm not sure she can pull that off, but she seemed to agree with me on that schedule. So I don't know.
I bought the book today on my way home from work and I'll start going through it tonight probably. One thing she definitely wants me to do is take both the depression and anxiety tests so we will have a baseline. I think that's a good idea.
Posted by TherapyGirl on April 29, 2010, at 18:52:50
In reply to Re: First session with new T » Dinah, posted by TherapyGirl on April 29, 2010, at 17:50:34
Severe anxiety
Moderate depressionSigh.
Posted by Daisym on April 29, 2010, at 20:42:11
In reply to First session with new T, posted by TherapyGirl on April 28, 2010, at 19:06:26
It is totally OK to cry - I would too.
I'm glad she was OK and it wasn't horrible. I suspect it will be hard not to compare them but she knows that. And how lucky she must be thinking to herself, to have someone who truly understands how important the therapy relationship is.
I do understand keeping your distance for awhile. But try not to let it interfere with healing. Growth happens within the context of a relationship and how nice to have a new one.
I'll be interested to know how the workbook goes.
Hugs,
Daisy
Posted by TherapyGirl on April 30, 2010, at 20:21:30
In reply to Re: First session with new T » TherapyGirl, posted by Daisym on April 29, 2010, at 20:42:11
Thanks, Daisy. Everything you say makes total sense to me. I'm trying really, really hard not to compare her to my T. The one similar, important thing is that they both have this kind of quiet peace about them. I rarely have that, so it's a gift to me when I'm around someone who does, someone who can create safe space for me.
Other than that, though, there are lots of differences and I really do think that will work in my favor for right now.
I've started working on the book -- getting ready to do my first written exercise. I'm going to write my answers in a journal and probably take it in to her to read. She offered that. I guess I'll see what I write and see how comfortable I am with that in a month.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Posted by muffled on May 2, 2010, at 22:47:04
In reply to Re: First session with new T » Daisym, posted by TherapyGirl on April 30, 2010, at 20:21:30
TG, I am so happy you have found a T to try out, and that she sounds ok so far!
Burns book is good. Lays the CBT stuff out easy.
I found the exercises hard to do lotsa times, but some I could do and they were very useful.
Practice is key.
Good to hear you ae ok.
TC
M
Posted by TherapyGirl on May 3, 2010, at 7:26:37
In reply to Re: First session with new T » TherapyGirl, posted by muffled on May 2, 2010, at 22:47:04
Thanks, Muffly. It's good to see you here.
It's good to have your feedback on the Burns stuff, too. I've been doing just a little bit at a time. New T doesn't want to put more stress on me, so I'm moving at my own pace. She said if there were exercises that felt uncomfortable I could choose not to do them or bring them in to discuss with her. (And she said that would be the case with any exercises she gives me as well.)
I'll keep you posted. How are YOU doing?
((((((((((Muffly))))))))))
Posted by muffled on May 6, 2010, at 15:51:03
In reply to Re: First session with new T » muffled, posted by TherapyGirl on May 3, 2010, at 7:26:37
I am ok, thank you.
New T is sounding pretty good!
:)
M
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