Quick question

[WishfulThinking123]

Last T session I had my T read three diary entries. They all had different scenarios/trauma from my past. Most of which I had never disclosed before. Anyways, it was a lot and I knew we probably couldn't cover everything. We were able to cover and discuss the incidents as adults however, the last journal entry regarding childhood stuff wasn't discussed. I knoe his was probably due to us only having an hour lol and she had stated initially she thought everything I wrote was significant in its old way however, she never stated we will talk about the other stuff next session. Does this mean she doesn't think its important enough to discuss or should I bring it up the next session and if I bring it up how should I do it? It is very hard for me to bring anything up and actually becoming increasingly harder the more we discuss my trauma because, I am feeling more and more vulnerable. Usually I just hand her a journal entry without even saying anything because, I'm so nervous...being that she had already read the journal entry I want to discuss what should I do? Hand her the same entry again or what?

 

[Justmehere]

Does this mean she doesn't think its important enough to discuss or should I bring it up the next session and if I bring it up how should I do it?

I'd avoid trying to read her mind and assuming that it isn't important. Plus, would be very unlikely for a therapist to state that trauma isn't important to discuss. Very unlikely.

being that she had already read the journal entry I want to discuss what should I do? Hand her the same entry again or what?

Sure. If that's the most you are able to communicate right now, that's one way to bring the subject up.

It would be better if you could flat out state, "I want to discuss the childhood trauma we didn't have time to discuss last time." It would probably be helpful if you are able to tell her that you wonder if she thinks it's not important, so she can reassure you it is important and tell you what she's actually thinking.

But if what you can do right now is to hand her the journal, that's a good start.

 

[NightSky]

Are you able to email her? I tend to email before a session if there's something I want to cover and know I won't have the nerve to bring it up.
If not, you can always start your next session with, "I've still been thinking about the contents of the journal entires you read last time and I'm hoping we can continue with those.."

 

[WishfulThinking123]

@NightSky Thanks! Yes, I am able to email but, I think she prefers me not to unless I'm in crisis or need an apt. change. She only works one day a week so, its not like she is in the office, shes at home with her family so, I feel bad lol. I love the suggestion of how to say it though thanks! A lot of times I feel I have to rehearse openers/lines for T in my head a bunch of times-knowing exactly what I'm going to say really helps me. Thanks!
@Justmehere Thanks for your suggestions as well! Thanks also for the reassurance that its ok for me to bring it up again :)

 

[The Albatross]

You can open any topic you want to at a session... so do so. Not really sure what the "rehearsing" stuff you refer to above is all about. You ain't tryin' to sell a script. You need to be where/what/who/how your are.

 

[Lotis]

Usually I just hand her a journal entry without even saying anything because, I'm so nervous...being that she had already read the journal entry I want to discuss what should I do? Hand her the same entry again or what?

You said you hand her journal entries - is it difficult for you to talk?
If so, maybe write it down that you want to talk about the journal entry and give it to her.
Remember it isn't about your therapist. This is your therapy. If something feels important to YOU then talk about it. Sometimes therapists miss things and they aren't mind readers. I doubt your therapist thought it was unimportant or dismissed it. Like you said it was 1 hour and you most likely couldn't cover everything.
Don't be afraid to speak up. tell your therapist what you need. If talking about the journal entry is what you need then say so.

~L

 

[WishfulThinking123]

Thanks-yes its very difficult for me to talk at all- once we get into it I'm ok but bringing stuff up is really challenging. The handing of journaling entries has really helped touch issues I would have never verbalized otherwise. I make my T make assumptions/guess what I'm feeling a lot of time because, I feel so frozen sometimes, I'd rather her say how she thinks I'm feeling and me agree or disagree...I don't know why it is so challenging to talk,,,I do really trust her/like her, its just difficult...