People Think I Should Write...my

[Panda Bear]

I'm bound to receive a lot of negative flack and responses to this post, and I'm okay with that. Mostly, I just need some place to put this information. Hang tight and please read.

The past 4yrs in therapy have been interesting to say the least. During this time, I've come to enjoy(somewhat) writing about my experiences, thoughts, feelings and whatever randomness that seems to come along. A lot revolves around my therapist, and the working relationship and alliance that we have developed. Love-hate...and healing

The last year, it's been heavily encouraged to me from a much older, and wiser friend, that I write something more formal. He often gets snippets of my work, as he is a major contributor to my healing. My therapist also gets a lot of my writings, and many years ago he asked me to please keep sending them to him. He felt that they had excellent information in them, and we are often able to glean significant memeories for my work. T has told me many times that my work was good, that I could write.

Last week, we rounded a very powerful EMDR session together. At the end, he commented again about my writings. I've sent a few over the week, we have had some powerful sessions, those often produce deep writings for me. I asked him to be quiet or whatever....he's told me many times that he likes my work. I think he's being polite.

He looks me in the eyes and says:
"When you're ready, will you let me write that book with you?

He wasn't joking....

Oddly enough, I'm not thrown by this comment. But I'm sure most of you will be. You can be honest....or whatever you'd like. Some of you have read the stuff my T says, and might not be surprised. Some of you will freak.

 

[sun seeker]

Why would we freak? I think it's a great idea. I wish you all the best.

 

[Panda Bear]

Because it's the weirdest thing I've ever heard.

Not that I should write....but that my T wishes to write with me.

 

[sun seeker]

Um, Panda? You might want to edit your last line there.

Aside from that, I still don't see why not.

 

[ladee]

I think your T has been thinking this all along because you have helped him so much to help you !!!! What a wonderful compliment.... just make sure you get your share of the money !!!!:roflmao:

 

[Panda Bear]

Lol @ladee, he has told me many times that I've helped him to be a better therapists and driven him to learn more about trauma. Interesting that you have this take.

I'm not concerned about money, and no book exist yet. But maybe I could make back what I spent on therapy? :D

 

[lostforgottensoul]

My life could be a book, a movie, or a 20/20 special...i will never alow it but it could.

Also my family would be the perfect Dr Phil family.

Why not write a book if comfortable doing so? It could even be "fictional".

 

[ladee]

@PandaBear, ya, the cost of therapy and free sessions for life !!!!

 

[watundah]

A gift is best when you share it. Healing others with your words sounds like a beautiful purpose. Not sure where the T comes in...shift to editor??

 

[barefoot]

I don't think this is weird or something to freak out about at all. I think it's great :-)

My therapist and I have talked about me writing a therapy-related book - she's all for it and has been encouraging me but I couldn't make up my mind what sort of book I wanted it to be and I haven't given it a thought for a long time (until now!)

In terms of you and your T writing it together, I guess that makes it a different proposition than you just doing something on your own. I think that might be difficult to do while you're still actually working together therapeutically as he would have a dual role in your life (ie he'd be your therapist but also a partner/co-creator for this commercial book project) and that would be something that required careful navigation. I think it could possibly work if you set things up well between you from the get go about how it would work, but there would be a number of potential pitfalls...some of them quite major ones! Only the two of you could decide whether you could make that work or whether it's best left until you've completed your therapeutic relationship.

There are different options in terms of how you could work together on it - would you be equal co-creators, would one of you really be acting as an editor more than a writer, would you both input, writing from your own perspective (I've writing as therapist/client)...? Lots of options. I guess the starting point is what sort of book would you want to write (what would be the main purpose/focus) and who would it be aimed at (therapists, clients, both?)

I think it's an exciting proposition :-)

 

[mrsmegan]

Wow - I think that is pretty cool!

 

[Panda Bear]

@watundah, I'm not sure. Nothing is certain, nor have we gone past the point of him asking to share the process of writing with me.

I'm not certain that I'd do it, though it has been in the back of my mind and told to me over...and over...and over again by a few friends of mine.

I did learn today that he does in fact have ALL my writings that I've sent him from the very start of our work. Exactly 4yrs worth! I only have the last 15 month.