How much do you tell your therapist ?

[NewGirl280]

Thanks for the responses everybody.

To be clear - I wouldn’t lie - I just was stuck with how much to disclose, as I probably don’t need to say much to get the help I need. Especially since I’m on the upswing, and by the time my appointment comes in two days I’ll probably be completely fine.

Your idea of what makes a “good” client in therapy is a bit twisted around, it’s not about how we...

There really isn’t work like that to do in my case - I don’t really view my “trauma” as a trauma, just my body does!

Thanks everyone. :unsure:

 

[Freida]

I think of it as throwing kibble to a feral cat. I toss out little bits of information I'm comfortable with and see how my T reacts. Then I add a bit more. A year or so goes by and I finally trust her enough to start talking about the bad stuff! Hopefully your's will go faster :):)

 

[EveHarrington]

Thanks for the responses everybody.

To be clear - I wouldn’t lie - I just was stuck with how muc...

You’re looking at healing in terms of helping you in the moment when the truth is that your therapist needs the overall picture, not just what is going on right now.

 

[Muttly]

There really isn’t work like that to do in my case - I don’t really view my “trauma” as a trauma, just my body does!

Your body is connected to your mind. You body is viewing what happened as a trauma because of what your mind is telling it. You may not be aware of those processes yet, but recovery is probably going to involve becoming aware of them.

You say you don't think you need to say much to get the help you need. I am curious, what help do you think you need?

 

[NewGirl280]

That almost feels as bad as feeling bad!

Your body is connected to your mind. You body is viewing what happened as a trauma because of what your...

I’m not sure! My goal is to minimize or eliminate the somatic sensations that occur and take over.

 

[Missycat]

I agree with the previous comments and that you talk to your t about how you feel and the want to be the ‘perfect client’. Your t would want to know how you feel and to be able to work with you on that.
I understand how you feel as i recently told my t i felt i had let them down and felt a failure as i had had some really good weeks and then ‘bang’ a crappy week and in session i apologised for being miserable . It really helped that i told her how i felt and she was able to work with me on that, i remember she also said that although my perception was that i was being miserable she felt that our conversations were richer when i was being open about my emotions and not trying to be the perfect client.

 

[hithere]

I would tell your counselor about this. Don't feel silly about the er visit, because you aren't. I have great weeks months and then I'm in extreme symptoms. I understand the fear of being dropped (abandoned) by your therapist for being "too dificult" . Yes, being vulnerable and honest puts you at risk for "transferred" or "referred" out and that is very scary and painful. Hopefully your counselor is in this for the long haul with you and has some good skills to teach you and work on with you.

 

[grit]

The thing is YOU ARE YOU! There is only one you. So no matter what you are you. Your progress is unique not like anything else.
Just going and attending the therapy is A POSITIVE STEP. THINKING ABOUT the therapy and how to improve the process for you is A POSITIVE STEP.

COMING HERE and educating yourself, sharing your story, and helping others IS A POSITIVE STEP.

You are already doing a lot of good things and setbacks or bad things happened to everybody in varying degrees but it is waste of energy to think of 6 billion people when your inner child side needs your full attention.

You are doing exactly how everything should unfold. There is no alternative as of now. You have done it as you should with every thing you have. Attend your therapy, you can even say it is hard to share everything as a general blanket and being honest but you are there with intention. This may get the ball rolling.Your therapist is not different than the nurse or the doctor in the ER whom you probably share some information and they helped you right? Same with the therapist. Talking is much better for long term than visit to the ER.

Maybe I will just throw it out there, you visit ER because you are keeping your stress away from therapy. Maybe. It is like you are pregnant from the therapy and give birth in ER figuratively speaking. Hope this weird analogy makes sense! (-;

I wish you the best. Going to the ER is no fun but you made it and you are on the right track even processing it now.

 

[NewGirl280]

Thanks everybody!

I had my appointment today and I wasn’t totally sure what my plan was. I’m still not feeling the greatest, but on the upswing. Thankfully, it kind of all just fell out and my filter was minimal. She was so kind.

I DO need to work on sharing MORE and being more honest (not lying, but not fully disclosing everything!). It’s a process though, right ?

Thanks for the encouragement!

 

[Justmehere]

Well done!

 

[Starfire]

The ER part was pretty extreme - but in the moment I thought I was really sick/dying. Silly I know....

Not silly! You were taking care of yourself..good job. My T had a talk with me about being concerned about him. He told me in no uncertain terms that he could take care of himself. If I had concerns, I could ask how he felt if I wanted but...... Learned Ts have professional & personal & social & family support systems. Dang I wanted that. He said he'd help me! It slowly became evident that I was not telling him things cuz I was concerned about how he'd take it or what he would think of me if he knew. He started telling me how he felt or thought about something he could tell was difficult for me. Most responses surprised me..not at all what I expected. I hated his "that's common". But it helped me to be honest & complete. I still feel embarrassed etc but I can get usually get the words out.