In Therapy I Learned That

[DharmaGirl]

I learned in therapy to have a card with my self soothing strategies on it with me at all times, because you can relapse (if that is the word I want) badly and need it.

I also learned you can simply love somebody and it is ok. Not romanic love or co-dependent love, just clean love.

I learned that I can make it to the next day.

 

[Suzetig]

I'm learning that the bits that scare me to look at are the very bits I need to look at the most.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I learned self love for myself and am free of the self loathing I once had about myself. I learned common sense and take way better care of me than ever before.

 

[Recovery4Me]

I learned boundaries with one of my gentlest of therapist. Her tools, empathy and offered resources changed my life.
I learned empowerment by protecting myself as an adult as well as the value of self care through adaptive strategies within boundaries.
I learned incremental steps in trusting and the gentle but firm application of the word 'no' (without guilt nor allowing 'others' manipulation).

 

[Lucycat]

I learned in therapy that I don't need the ability to fly now that I am safe.

 

[roaminggnome]

I learned in therapy that there is a future out there for me if I break it down into small steps.

 

[DharmaGirl]

I don't need the ability to fly

Was that going to be your superpower? I would like x-ray vision so I could see what children are being abused, and take them to a safe place.

 

[DharmaGirl]

a thread where we could post positive things we've learned in therapy.

This is an excellent thread! What an empowering idea!

I learned in therapy that I was terribly wounded starting at age 3, and I am healing and gaining strength and compassion.
I learned that I wouldn't be me if it hadn't happened, and there are parts of me I like a lot.

 

[Lucycat]

Was that going to be your superpower? .

no. I had always had dreams in which I could fly. It was an everyday occurrence. Just push up and fly above everybody, hiding, listening, safe. When I started therapy these dreams stopped abruptly.

We laughed about the use of grounding techniques - I was like a grounded airplane !

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

In therapy I learned to observe my breathing when I feel my anxiety starting. If I'm not breathing from my stomach then I'm taking shorter breaths. That means that I'm getting tense. And when my anxiety is bad and my breaths are shorter it can make me feel lightheaded and like I'm going to faint while I'm having an anxiety attack.

I learned how to do the 4 7 8 breath. I learned that it slows the body down so that it's a little bit easier to start thinking rationally again. The 4 7 8 breath is to inhale through your nose to the count of 4. Then you hold your breath for the count of 7. And then you slowly exhale out of your mouth for the count of 8. I do that 3 times in a row and it does help my muscles to relax.

 

[Recovery4Me]

@BlackbirdSinging Wow thanks!

I never heard of that one. I am going to try it! It seems like it would take time to learn to do it on cue accurately but well worth the practice.

I would like to place your instructions in my trauma diary as a quote for future reference if that is ok with you. If not, I certainly would understand as well as respect your decision. Please let me know your feeling on my quoting. Thanks.

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

@BlackbirdSingingPlease let me know your feeling on my quoting. Thanks.

Yes please do use my post. That's part of why I started this thread. We as sufferers know what doesn't work. And I thought it might be helpful to share the things that do work for us. That way we can see where the positives come in with all of the hard work we do. And we can help each other learn tools we might not have heard about before.