Intimacy - How Open To Be In Therapy?

[BloomInWinter]

Maybe the receptionist was having a bad day?

Possibly. Two others who go there tell me the policy is no contact between sessions unless your counselor initiates it (schedule change or something)...so I guess it was just me violating their policy with a question. Though there is a 'day' counselor on who will talk to 'get you through' if there's a crisis.

Guess I gotta work on not feeling like I need/want anything....questions, etc. between my 2-3 week spaced 50 minute sessions. I can do that. I grew up with that policy so it feels familiar to have no options, there....just seemed strange after seeing something different is possible.

 

[anthony]

I can see it being frustrating on both parties sides... the counselling clinic and the clients.

 

[BloomInWinter]

I can see it being frustrating on both parties sides... the counselling clinic and the clients.

Yes...I know that hospital administration well and they don't care what the staff thinks about the situation. Just 'treat 'em and street 'em'...gotta love the 'Business Model of Free Market Healthcare.'

Opportunity to practice 'radical acceptance' that is the care my 'best insurance in our State' gets us all. :P

Trying to remind myself I'm fortunate that I don't need anything more.

 

[Tinyflame]

I think I feel more 'normal' the more others disclose that I can relate to.

And to get direct feedback- doesn't have to 'agree' just say the truth/ what other's think/ how they see it.

 

[Reclusive]

I think at this point I want a t who wants to concentrate on my issues. All the ts I've had so far, except 1 and he was awful for other reasons, have told me way more about themselves than I have told them about myself. I often feel like I'm the t and they're the client and it just gets really, really uncomfortable.

Today (and I might change my mind tomorrow) I'm totally with Anthony. 100% extreme disclosure, stream of consciousness, just say what comes to mind. If a t is any good, they should be able to handle it, preferably with grace and understanding. In this way, I kind of use PTSD as an excuse with myself to be allowed to dump all my issues on someone else.

 

[Heather]

Hmmmm....the receptionist acted like I was being inappropriately needy. I felt inappropriately needy but called anyway...and regretted it.

I can't believe they treated you like that! I call my therapist between sessions and it's never a problem. He'd probably prefer there'd be a rule stating you CAN'T call in-between sessions:D:pLOL!

 

[BloomInWinter]

I may be perceiving her tone incorrectly, but the actual words were 'You want to speak with [T's name.]? On the phone?'

Hard to take that as neutral...

 

[Heather]

I may be perceiving her tone incorrectly, but the actual words were 'You want to speak with [T's name.]? On the phone?'

Your therapist really needs to get his OWN voicemail. (((Bloom)))

 

[BloomInWinter]

Your therapist really needs to get his OWN voicemail. (((Bloom)))

Or, I need to lower my expectations of that hospital.

Though I didn't think that was possible...

 

[Heather]

It's not you, it's them!

 

[Heather]

((((Bloom))))

 

[BloomInWinter]

It *is* their administration. We're truly just a $$$ sign to the bureaucrats there.

But I think the counselors are trying their best in a terrible environment.

Just....contemplating a very direct letter to their board and a complaint to Joint Commission.

Sadly, they just lost their ONE psychiatrist. He's leaving and they can't find anyone willing to take the job.

Shocker.