What does your T Do if you dissociate or have flashback in session?

[sunshinedaydream]

I’m getting very fuzzy all the time but also having flashbacks I think. I disappeared yesterday. Later he was telling me it’s kid stuff from when I’m a kid. And he was talking about a pattern he is seeing where I think things are my fault and that it’s related.
I felt very alarmed by feeling so fuzzy in session (disappearing) and having a tough time imagining he isn’t angry at me. And also, trying to keep panicky feelings down.
But I wonder what he thinks. He told me before that it doesn’t upset him and it’s part of the territory of trauma therapy. I’m trying to still believe him, but something is feeling unnerved like he is upset with me anyway for not feeling comfortable enough to stay present.

 

[Kubash16]

I’m sure he does understand, there are lots of people on here who have experienced it and their T’s helped them through it. I haven’t experienced it yet though, at least I don’t think I have to the degree others do. I’ll blank out later on what was said in session but in the moment nothing changes so I dunno.

 

[piratelady]

When I have a flashback in session, he will use a more assertive and louder tone of voice to pull me back. My therapist has a very kind and soft tone of voice normally, then gets more assertive to snap me out if it, then goes back to the soft voice.

He isn’t angry with me, it is part of PTSD, they just have to find what works for you to bring you back to the room.

 

[sunshinedaydream]

I’ll blank out later on what was said in session but in the moment nothing changes so I dunno.

This is usually how it is for me too where I forget what they say after they say it... I sometimes even remember it but it slowly fades until I cant be sure what he said at all or I imagined it.

When I have a flashback in session, he will use a more assertive and louder tone of voice to pull me back.

He isn’t angry with me, it is part of PTSD...

Maybe that was it. I felt like I was away, then back and scared/worried think he is angry and I’m trying to listen to him but mostly trying to interpret his voice and body language.

I remember he was saying I am always asking what is normal or typical and if something I’m doing is normal for trauma patient. And he said for me this getting fuzzy and scared and having a pattern of feeling it’s my fault is normal. So that made me feel ok maybe he isn’t upset and going to fire me.

 

[Kubash16]

This is usually how it is for me too where I forget what they say after they say it... I sometimes even remember it but it slowly fades until I cant be sure what he said at all or I imagined it.

Ya, me too. I can’t always remember their faces either. Like if you were to ask me to tell some crime scene investigator what they are wearing or look like- couldn’t tell ya. I’m getting better at remembering words and phrases about what is talked about and I can usually remember the gist of conversations but one thing is I always remember the tone of voice they maintain and if there are any changes to it. When there are- my memory decides to perk up and I can remember each detail surrounding it. I’m weird I know lol.

 

[sunshinedaydream]

I think he did use a stronger voice and he said I’m an adult not a child.

Ya, me too. I can’t always remember their faces either. Like if you were to ask me to tell some crime scene investigator what they are wearing or look like- couldn’t tell ya. I’m getting better at remembering words and phrases about what is talked about and I can usually remember the gist of conversations but one thing is I always remember the tone of voice they maintain and if there are any changes to it. When there are- my memory decides to perk up and I can remember each detail surrounding it. I’m weird I know lol.

That is seriously just so similar to me!!
I had him record some things for me that he’d told me a few times because I can’t rememebr it and makes me feel unsure. Now the recording is something I listen to on repeat to get grounded again. I sometimes can’t believe it still, so I need to find a way to make an agreement that if it becomes not true anymore he will email me that, call and leave a voice mail saying it, and tell me in person. That way maybe I can trust it.