First Therapy Session Today

[fellowsufferer]

Hi
Today. I had my first session with therapist. It seems for me lIke she is well trained and i can trust her. She gave me homework to learn how to stabilize. Breathing. relaxing. I am a 38 user women from belgium. I have suffered from complex trauma from more than 20+years. I hope this will help. I'll keep you informed!

 

[AngelKeeperJ]

Welcome to the Forum, and congratulations on beginning therapy! I think your therapist did well to give you stabilizing methods to begin. It's hard to talk about your traumas when you are having physical symptoms of your mental and emotional struggles. Acknowledging your need, and reaching out is a HUGE step towards health!
The Forum is a special place where we all are in different stages of our trauma and many of us had our struggles begin in childhood. Somehow we struggle through the years until we reach a place that we HAVE to reach out! Here, you will find compassionate, caring, and empathic people who are on the journey of healing!
I want you to know that healing IS possible, you CAN be happy, and it is worth EVERY bit of therapy and work to get better!!!

Blessings to you on YOUR journey,
AKJ

 

[fellowsufferer]

Thank you. Angelkeeper i feel so much blessed by people like you and on this forum!!! I believe it is possible to get relief from our symptomes (hyperarousal, depression, anxiety, trust issues, etc...) But i believe also it is a hard and lonely road ( but this forum gives me hope and comfort)!! Good luck to all of you, fellowsufferers!!!

 

[Care Bear]

Welcome from one of your neighbors in France :happy:

You are right, it is a hard and lonely road. This is why we are here and can help each other.

 

[fellowsufferer]

@Care Bear
Huggs for you
Indeed a therapist is helpfull, but indeed fellowsufferers are so much more valuable that they really understand through living it!!! I'am gratefull that we can connect because i think that a lot of what we've been trough had to to with feeling lost of love and we humans need and crave love (in all its forums) hugs from rainy belgium(at this moment)!

 

[anonymous]

Breathing skills are an excellent place to start, and a skill that you can literally use for life! I am a bit further along in my healing and I'm finally to the point where when I feel stressed I actually remember to simply BREATHE! Sometimes it can be hard to remember to use your coping skills when you're triggered or stressed. But, its amazing how much breathing can calm me down.

 

[AngelKeeperJ]

I agree with anonymous above! As you get farther along in healing, and PRACTICE the breathing as soon as we start to feel stressed, it WORKS! It does take practice (when you aren't stressed). Years ago, at my worst, I realized while anxious, that I was holding my breath to keep from crying at work! I realized it's impossible to be calm while holding my breath!

It's hard to notice the stressed breathing patterns, but if you can, you will make good progress towards using the relaxation exercises. I've also discovered, that with lifelong depression and anxiety, that there WILL be 'flare ups' now and then. I've learned to MANAGE my issues, and don't really expect permanent longstanding healing. I am STILL at least 90% better than at my worst! (Most of the time)