Curious... How Long Have You Been In Therapy....

[Riot]

Coming up on one year here, with my first and only psychotherapist. As for 'knowing he was the one' goes? Probably the third or fourth session in, but it's hard to articulate. I guess it was just something about the way he looked at me and displayed compassion for me regardless of the overload I threw at him, I dunno.

 

[Rani G2]

And how do you know your therapist is a right fit for you?

If you have found the right fit, does it scare you?

Hey Gia,

i know, because I had a few before, with less or no transformation.

Scare me? Because now I am suppose to fulfill those expectations I have set for myself? Or? Meaning, I must achieve changes?

What do you mean Gia?

Shankara

 

[Lucycat]

I was in therapy just short of 7 years. I was discharged from his caseload in September.
I have only ever had the one therapist and it was a perfect fit from the beginning. I did not know he had a special interest in trauma, but neither did I know that I was suffering from Trauma, or CPTSD as it came to be diagnosed.

The idea of therapy did not scare me - it was suddenly an opportunity to offload all the shit that had been weighing me down for years. I have never felt so unwell as I did when I started therapy, but neither had I ever seen a light at the end of the tunnel before. It was a rocky road, but I am so glad I took the chance.

 

[watundah]

I tried a pile of "counselors" in my 20s who weren't very dedicated nor aware of PTSD symptoms. Current T just over 4 years. It took 3 years for relationship to happen I was that scared. I didnt know she was right for me but her style, breadth of knowledge and experience were vast and her patience seems endles..

 

[roaringrachel]

And how many different therapists have you been to before you found the right one? And how do you know...

I have been in therapy for probably 4 years but the first 3 were with therapists who I really didn't like and didn't tell anything to so they weren't productive.

I worked with 3 therapists before finding the one that really worked for me.

I know she's the right fit for me because I feel like I can tell her things that I wasn't able to tell other therapists (not that it's easy to do that, but I am able to). She also really 'gets' me. Like sometimes she knows what I'm thinking before I even tell it to her. Also, I really wanted a younger therapist who is a woman, and she is both of those things so she qualifies in that regard as well.

And it doesn't scare me at all that she's the right fit. In fact, it is so comforting. I feel like I have someone who I know will always be there for me when I need her. I guess the only thing that scares me is that I know at some point I'm going to have to leave her and I don't ever want that to happen.

 

[Muted]

I've only had 1. He was just a name that I'd heard before, but then suggested as someone I might get s...

I think you are one of the lucky ones to find the right one on the first try. I don't like it when I feel like mine is reading me either, but on the other hand I like that usually she can explain how I feel better than I can. Sometimes I just want to push her away.

 

[Muted]

I've had several short-term therapists over the last 10 years. School therapists, private-practice folks,...

I can relate to those fears.

 

[Muted]

Therapy as a whole? 27 years. Wow. But the first 10 was going between people who couldn't help - I...

How did you get over wanting to bolt?

 

[Muted]

I think one of the things I really value from her...

I think that is extremely insightful that you realize you need those accommodations and wonderful that you found a fit with someone who acknowledges that and is willing to work with you in a manner that fits you.

Mine has done that in some ways, but not in others. I am finding that to be a problem, but I don't want to push her. I don't know if I am expecting too much, but I'm not sure if I can go much deeper with my issues unless there is a change.

How did you voice your needs and what was her response?

 

[Crow]

It was a slow (snails pace) process of building trust with T. I think the turning point was when I took a leap and through heaving crying said I wish she'd hold me...and she did. That brought up more stuff to deal with and we don't touch anymore unless I ask to touch her hand to make sure she is real. But in that moment a young part of me needed that. And that T has stuck with me...isn't going anywhere. I think it all comes down to trusting myself and trusting T. However long it takes.

 

[Muted]

I've been with my current therapist for 8 months. She is my 4th therapist. I knew she was the one...

Not worry that they will expect more from me, more like if I don't make it with having the right t. I will fail.

 

[Muted]

Scare me? Because now...

More like what if you don't succeed.... it's easy to bail on a bad therapist, but if you have a good one and you quit or mess it up then you've failed.