A More Positive Look At Therapy.

[Meadowsweet]

Today was to be the first time talking about certain events face to face with a therapist. I was stressing over her reaction and feeling the barriers go up.

But my homework was to put events on a timeline. So I had in my head an image of trauma spread along this line. And I could visualise each therapy session being like taking another step further away from the past.

Also visualising myself walking the timeline helped me to feel that the therapy is there for me to fix myself. Rather than me being there for the therapist to fix.

Although I still feel like the therapist is going to tell me how terrible I've been and correct me into a more worthy human being, its a start and something positive to draw upon.

 

[anthony]

Well done.

I think you're building an incorrect image though in regards to the therapist telling you anything. They will educate you and discuss with you to find agreed up solutions... though overall therapy is purely trial and error based on each individuals personality. The majority of therapists will approach you in this fashion, and your treatment. There is no point in them judging you, which is highly unlikely, because it only sets you backwards... it does not help the process, hence why therapists don't judge. They just work with what you give them to work with, and what you agree upon collectively.

My point is, don't build up irrational and false fears about what is to come, when you don't know what will come in therapy.

 

[Philippa]

If any therapist tells you you are terrible then it's time to find another therapist. I don't think a therapist would do that though, if they are reputable.

Perhaps you are the one who is telling yourself you are terrible and unworthy as a human being and need to be corrected and fixed?

 

[Meadowsweet]

Yes, I'm aware that they are my own negative thinking patterns, not something my therapist is actually going to do. This is why I needed to find a more positive way of looking at therapy.

Some of the more recent abuse happened when I'd just started to open up about past issues. So going into therapy, I'm aware that those issues are there and its something I need to work on as and when the fear and negative thinking arises.