Is This Abusive?

[Justmehere]

I think I was trying to say that she was implying that suicide can be a step forward in a soul's journey, because I know she is a fan of the analyst James Hillman who wrote a book called 'Suicide and the Soul' - as far as I understand it (probably not much!) he puts forward the idea that suicidal thoughts are a reflection of the soul's desire to grow beyond the person's current personality, rather than their being the result of outside events in your life.

I have read about a little bit about what he thinks. I wouldn't call it abusive - but maybe I don't fully understand it. He wrote in a time where suicide was a felony. He was attempting to decriminalize and depathologize it. I don't agree with him, and his line of thinking can be taken wrongly in a way that is dangerous. I don't think he says suicide is ok, but rather is trying to give reasons for it. It's very grey and muddy.

If you already know she comes from the same school of thought, and you disagree, then she is probably not the right therapist to go to for suicidal thinking or being overwhelmed to the point of having suicidal thoughts. Maybe she can help with others things, but not that. She might just not be the right fit for you in her philosophical approach.

 

[moonbeam]

I would say talk with her. Its clearly upset you so discuss it with her.

I didn't take her words to mean that. Sometimes we have memories return that feel overwhelming but my T says that are brains think we are now in a safer place to handle it. It may have been buried before for our safety but now processing it is healthier. I think that might be what your T meant.

And suicide is very complicated. Its not strictly black and white. It doesn't sound like she is advocating for it. It sounds like she is trying to say that's a separate more complex issue.

And the idea of suicide being the soul wanting to change reminds me that in tarot cards the death card doesn't mean a literal death it means change. It can actually be considered a good thing to get though some people still find it freaky.
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