The Dreaded End-of-year Three Week Break

[ms spock]

I feel bad for him - can't imagine how many clients feel so unsteady during this time.

They do have supervision, support and guidance to manage this. Not to mention years of training. It is kind of you to be compassionate.

 

[Hashi]

I feel bad for him - can't imagine how many clients feel so unsteady during this time.

I've been thinking this too. Although possibly - and hopefully - not all her clients are as unsteady as me! Ms Spock is right, therapists need to be able to take care of themselves and enjoy their own lives. I do wonder, though, if it's a bit like me trying to finish things at work before going on holiday. It can get to a point where it seems too much trouble to have the time off.

I feel a bit guilty intruding on my T's break with an email each week, but I also realise this is her choice of how to manage things and she has good boundaries around it.

 

[Hashi]

I'm already not doing well, and the break hasn't even started yet. I only saw my T a few days ago and already have so much I want to talk to her about next week. I'm not sure how well I'll manage having a three week wait after that.

There are going to be an awful lot of unsent letters, I think. (I can email her, but I don't think she means 20 or 30 pages!)

It's bringing up a lot for me. I dreamt last night that I went to the wrong place for my last appointment, then tried to go to the right place, then got lost, while the time was ticking away. I was getting more and more angry and distraught, and imagining her lightheartedly passing the time chatting to colleagues and joking. Incidentally, I was wearing a crazy amount of knitwear - several jumpers, then a big thick cable knit jumper, then a big thick cable knit cardigan over that. Could I perhaps be feeling in need of comfort and protection? :rolleyes:

Thinking about the dream this morning, I was actually crying. I feel worn down by the number of life skills I never acquired and am labouring to learn now. It seems endless. Now I've managed to let someone in and allow myself to be dependent on them, I'm struggling to deal with them taking a bit of time off to eat mince pies. :cry:

Sorry for everyone going through this.

 

[Hashi]

Perhaps we will all handle this break well and will be able to start the new year with some new found confidence! :)

Thank you for saying this. At least once it starts, I'll be getting through it. In my case, not sure about "well" but I'll take any way of handling it!

 

[ms spock]

I feel worn down by the number of life skills I never acquired and am labouring to learn now. It seems endless.

*nods*

 

[Ayasha]

I only saw my T a few days ago and already have so much I want to talk to her about next week. I'm not sure how well I'll manage having a three week wait after that.

I know how you feel, my T told me to "keep in touch" but I really don't know what that means. I've sent her one email because I thought she'd want to know something that happened.

As for you, I suggest writing it all down, and from there you can decide what to tell your T in an email or at your next meeting.

I think we all wonder if it bothers our Ts to email them over our breaks but I think it helps them to know how we're doing. I know I am telling my T both the bad and good that is happening over break (I want her to know I am still doing what she's taught me so I can survive here). I think checking in via email is a way to keep our Ts from worrying too much about us. Honestly, I think my T feels better if I at least admit through email that I'm having a hard time dealing here but I'm finding ways to manage.

We can all do this, I'm sure of it. We have each other here on the forum and we'll see our Ts again soon. :hug:

Ayasha

 

[ms spock]

I don't keep in contact with my Psychriatrist through email or phone calls. Occasionally I wish this was part of the deal but mostly I am fine with this.

If that is part of your deal with your T then I would appreciate that but not feel guilty about having that?

 

[Ayasha]

If that is part of your deal with your T then I would appreciate that but not feel guilty about having that?

I actually do feel guilty when I email her, but I feel guilty when I talk about my problems in general so I think that's just irrational thoughts on my part. She told me to keep in touch over the break because she knows being at my parent's house is really, really stressful and I guess she wants to make sure I'm okay. Honestly if she had not given me her "challenge" look, as a call it, then I probably wouldn't be emailing her. She hasn't responded to the first email I sent but that's okay, she'll probably bring it up when I meet back with her after school starts back.

 

[ms spock]

I actually do feel guilty when I email her, but I feel guilty when I talk about my problems in general so I think that's just irrational thoughts on my part.

Okay that is good insight and understanding on your part Ayasha.

She told me to keep in touch over the break because she knows being at my parent's house is really, really stressful and I guess she wants to make sure I'm okay.

Oh it is hard when it is so stressful Ayasha. :(

 

[Hashi]

my T told me to "keep in touch" but I really don't know what that means. I've sent her one email because I thought she'd want to know something that happened.

My T suggested in particular that I send her an email on the day I'd usually see her. I did this when she was on holiday before, and it helped a little bit to keep feeling connected to the weekly session. It's always hard for me to go back after a break, but at least I can maintain something of the Tuesday = Therapy habit.

I "write" to her much more than that but don't send it. I try to summarise things in a few sentences when I email her.

I think it's a good idea to write if something happened.

Honestly if she had not given me her "challenge" look, as a call it, then I probably wouldn't be emailing her.

I hope it's OK that this made me smile. It sounds like she really wants you to email. I'm sorry that your situation over the holidays is stressful, but hope you can get through OK.

 

[ms spock]

Tomorrow is usually the day I see my psychriatrist. I have been framing my week around seeing her the last month or so. It is a change.

 

[Hashi]

Tomorrow is usually the day I see my psychriatrist. I have been framing my week around seeing her...

That's tough. I hope you get through tomorrow OK. Do you have a plan for the day?