Talking to one t about a traumatizing experience with a previous t?

[loui50]

If you felt traumatized by something a Therapist said/did to you, would you be comfortable talking to a new/current T about the incident?

Here is the whole story:
Many years ago I wanted to commit suicide for various reasons (not important why). I was literally in the bathtub with the biggest knife I owned ready to try. I called my Therapist at the times emergency cell number and no one answered. I left a message to please call back it was urgent. I got a call back from her receptionist that she wasn't taking calls over the weekend because it was her son's birthday. I begged for her to call but was told no. I called back 2 or 3 more times begging to talk to T. She would not call back. At my next session T yelled at me about the incident stating reading back to me some of the things I had said to the receptionist and even said How dare I do this. I had let this incident go as it was years ago.

At my last session with my current T I admitted that I was scared to tell her something because i didn't want her to be mad at me. She asked me if a Therapist had ever gotten mad at me and yelled at me before (Big trigger for me). I told her yes and just a little about the incident. Well that has brought up a lot of negative feelings that I NEED to talk about but I'm scared to talk to one T about a different T even though the first T is no longer in my life.

What would you do?

 

[UnicornSightings]

I'd talk about it. It's a part of your history. Everything is fair game. I'm talking to another t about my current t lol. Do it. Sounds like you really need to.

 

[UnicornSightings]

Also sorry your other t was such a douche about something so major that was happening in your life.

 

[MisterCatLady]

That is the first thing I talked about with current T. We worked through those difficult emotions before anything else really. That also told her what would be triggers for me in therapy - things she could avoid doing that would help my overall therapeutic experience.

 

[Muted]

I think it's important to talk about and work through with your current T, if you trust her.

 

[The Albatross]

Me personally I would recognize that having been suicidal for "many reasons" and sitting in a bath tub with a big knife and then reaching out to touch my shrink like a hail Mary is probably not the best way to have navigated the situation although at the time it was the only way I had. I'm not understanding how this was traumatic for you except that you persisted in a mind set and until you were ready to do the deed or call your support system it failed.

Reliance on others wears them out, down or at times fails. AA and NA actually build this into their program... that's why they encourage peer support mentorships beyond sponsorship... because it is likely that at times in dire need people will be unable to be available. That's what a safety action plan is for. If you haven't had one and don't have one you need one if you're moderate to high risk for self harm or suicide.

Yeah and DO have the discussion with your new shrink.