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My Therapist Cried

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Littlebirdy44

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I wrote a letter to my T describing the sexual abuse from my childhood because there was no way I could even try to say it out loud. She read it today during our session and cried. I never expected that kind of reaction, I actually expected her to not believe me (which is a common negative belief of mine due to my upbringing) but I wasn't upset. Her and I have talked about my inability to cry so she apologized because she worried it made me uncomfortable but honestly I felt relieved. It was like she was crying for me, meeting me in my darkest place to show me that it's both okay to cry and that it's something I'll one day gain back. Breaking the silence feels good but honestly I still feel hollow. I know trauma doesn't go away by just speaking it out loud but I wish the world could just cut us some slack after we chose to open up. But that's not reality and I know I'm in for a long week full of flashbacks and nightmares. But I'm ready to fight back. I'm going to beat this beast.
 
I wrote a letter to my T describing the sexual abuse from my childhood because there was no way I...
How do trauma therapists (specialists) deal with the sexual abuse reports and violent histories of all of their clients they treat? Seems it would take a very caring and empathetic human being to be able to withstand day in and day out and yes they are paid, I know, yet their hearing vivid recounts of our (my) broken life/lives and heart(s) must effect them deeply as did your abuse history deeply move your therapist @Littlebirdy44. I have a wonderful therapist for the first time in my life. I prayed for this EMDR Specialist (35 years of experience) and there is change a comin' for me; I am working my butt off in EMDR Therapy and I will not give up. Cannot live in this mental/emotional state of undead forever, anymore. I must push on and forward and speak the unspeakable in EMDR sessions and the fear is palpable during sessions and the uncontrollable crying recounting the violence, torture, and horrific trauma events me and my sister experienced, witnessed, etc.

Sister saw therapist years ago - she said only once - and she was told her extreme trauma and abuse was one of the worst cases the therapist had ever heard of; we were both together through only some of my abuse history (dad violently abused me more than sister), yet because sister won't speak with me about the unspeakable (for her), I only know bits and pieces about our (sis' and mine) mutually experienced trauma and all that she fully experienced herself - alone. She is not aware of most all of the extreme trauma our dad exacted and inflicted upon my psyche and body over my lifetime up until his death in '08.

I have not been feeling well for a number of seems like many days (disconnected and numb = ptsd), yet I wanted to tell you @Littlebirdy44 how hard I know it is for you to have written down abuse history and for you now to know that your truth is finally exposed to the Light and now out of the shadows and out of the darkness. For me, exposing this horrific degradation we (I) experienced takes away some of it's power for now your (my) therapist) knows and we are members here and are NOT alone ANYMORE. I hope and pray @Littlebirdy44, you will begin healing, oh I so want this for you. I'm in EMDR Therapy, and it hurts so much - each session, yet I, after 7th session can tell a difference in how my mind is processing information and beginning to reprogram the horrific messages my brain has been daily feeding me for decades.

Your therapist is also so validating (since after abuse violators and offenders most often deny, deny, deny); of your abuse - she read your abuse history in front of you. And, also that your therapist cried like you said and she believes you. No one ever believed me until this therapist began to validate and talk with me about violent and torturous abuse history. Other therapists wanted me to stay in present and not go back (again due to misdiagnosis) and this prevented me from starting my recovery process (and it is a process and a journey).

And I had not until after 2012 been forthcoming about sharing my abuse history with most anyone - due to incorrect diagnosis - now corrected: prolonged complex ptsd and major depressive disorder. At moment, @Littlebirdy44 I feel so up in my head and yet so detached from my emotions and cannot wait for this state of mind (or lack thereof) to pass and I loathe feeling so fearful of unknown also loathe my current ptsd symptoms, I miss feeling connected here in this forum and out in my life with others. I go through the motions waiting to my mind (brain) to once again for the umpteenth time - to reconnect with the living. I feel at present - like the walking dead. And this state of being will pass. It always has, I wish it would never come again.

My heart goes out to you @Littlebirdy44 as I understand of not speaking (writing) and divulging about your trauma story until now. In my case , although I've been experiencing triggers/small flashes throughout decades - not until 1/1996 is when it all came flooding back in nightmares and remembrances - fractured and fragmented pieces through my brokenness. So grateful for your post and hope you will continue posting as when you do, you help so many people here - me included. @JadesJewel
 
When I told my story to my therapist, she cried too and it really touched me deep inside. She told me that my trauma was severe and prolonged and that she was sorry that I had had to endure that kind of suffering. I was like, WOW!!!

Still, it took a long time for my feelings to "thaw out", to truly 'get it". I am in a fight for my life and that is the way that I approach healing.

Like you, I have a fighting spirit and I admire you for that because I know that it takes guts and determination to heal.

I am happy for you and glad you shared your experience here with us. I wish you didn't need to be here but since you do, I am glad you found your way to this place of healing!

May you always have the validation and support you need to make it through the darkness,

Peace,
Lionheart
 
When I told my story to my therapist, she cried too and it really touched me deep inside. She told...
My new therapist (EMDR) does not strike me as the hugging type and yet he side-hugged me after I believe it was the 6th grueling EMDR session with him. His face after the EMDR light board runs the cascading light back and forth vertically and my eyes trailing the light he then asks me each time - what is coming up, and what am I feeling? I am crying so hard yet not moving, just tears rolling non-stop throughout session and nose running and I look at him and his face looks so haggard and worn (doesn't look that way when I first enter his therapy room/office). No it doesn't. And I block what I see in his eyes which is shock at times, other times it's heaviness and pain I see in his eyes looking at me.

I must be working so hard during sessions and I come home so exhausted and mind numb I sleep afterwards for hours, yet I never before ever saw myself as strong by definition. I have survived many suicide attempts and many horrendous traumatic abuse events throughout my life.

He (therapist doctor) has told me a couple of times upon departure from his office, "You are working so hard, and I am proud of you." And that one side hug which almost was a front hug and I turned sideways - I have to watch transference issues - or it will occur again, was validating, for again this psychologist (EMDR Specialist) does not strike me as being a hugger of his patients. Very conservative, reserved, and formal, yet his eyes are so filled with empathy, compassion, dedication. At the end of one session, he said that I'd end our relationship before he did. And I then said I would never give up. He said this phrase "I'll never give up" is one of his computer's password codes.

He is human, and he has a lot on his shoulders as an EMDR Therapist. I am grateful for this opportunity to try and desensitize and reprogram as EMDR says in it's acronym of itself, these horrific and mind-bending blowing violent traumatic events I lived through. My spirit must be strong, for with the couple or more bracelets on each of my wrists (scars) show, and the OD's, etc. and my relationship with God afterwards, well, I am still here and finally now am in full head on full throttle recovery. Love and Peace. JadesJewel
 
My T has cried in front of me - they were very special moments, where he wasn't just T, but a person who loved and cared about me in a very real way.

I am so proud you have been able to start to get your story out - that's where I am at too and it is SO HARD - way to go. You are inspiring me as I feel pretty beat up right now - so thank you for that.

((HUGS)) if you accept.
 
I wanted to apologize for not responding to all these lovely messages last week! I'm afraid my energy was extremely low and I had trouble sorting through all the dark thoughts I had over this past week. It has indeed been one hell of a week but know I'm still standing tall and pushing through with everything inside me! thank you all for just being so kind and I truly hope my hope extends to all of you and inspires you to keep your heads up through such a dark diagnosis! We can and we will overcome this friends! Stay strong!!!!
 
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