I'm a structure goal-oriented person, and a teacher, who wants to do well, even w therapy. My T is all about her intuition and timing.
1st Trauma Phase 1 to 2 discussion w T:
Me: (After a year and a half of therapy)Okay, I think I'm ready for phase 2. How does this work?
T: Yeah, I'm not sure you are ready.
Me: What do you mean? I set the date that I'd move to phase 2, I'm thinking I'm ready.
T: I just don't quite have that intuitive feeling I have that you are stable enough in phase 1 and ready for phase 2. It doesn't work in a linear fashion anyway. It's more circular.....flexible...and you've done some phase 2 work already, but you are working in phase 1 stabilization now.
Me: "Oh" (the only words I had for this let down).... and wanting to say: "What the fxck you mean I'm not stable, I'm plenty stable. You wanna see stable, my paranoia about stalking person in my life.....is so much better. And what's this intuition crap driving the bus in my therapy?
T: Yeah, and how are you feeling?
Me; Like a therapy loser.
2nd Trauma Phase 2 discussion w T:
Me: Okay, what's involved in phase 2? I think I got phase 1 safety and stabilization under control here....really, I think things are safe. Things are calmer, coming together, no real threats lately. How does one move to phase 2? Like what's involved?
T: Talking about it......
Me: "HUH?" Wanting to say: "Any short cuts? Doesn't that writing, poetry, and art I did qualify as like extra credit to get me through this phase of therapy faster?"