You Want Me To Remember....what?!

[izziebella16]

I was diagnosed with PTSD 8 years ago as well as an eating disorder. After a couple of years of therapy for my eating disorder I moved away and stopped therapy. This year I found a new therapist who specializes in trauma. We've had a few sessions and she has told me she wants me to remember the specific incidents so we can refocus my emotions. What?! Why would anyone want me to remember and relive that abuse? Is this normal? Will this actually help? And if so, why in the world can't I remember anything from then. I remember the good times we had...how can I help my memory wake back up?

 

[EveHarrington]

I'm not familiar with that type of trauma therapy.

Has your therapist discussed coping skills with you or worked on them with you?

I guess I'm a bit concerned that she's jumping into the remembering part so fast as IMHO it takes more than a few sessions to ensure that a client is ready for that step.

 

[Gamera3000]

The lady I'm seeing now doesn't ask me to go over specifically horrifying things, which I really appreciate. Once she accidentally triggered something pretty terrible but then she apologized afterward for "pushing." I appreciated the apology. I really like her method. At least it has been the only thing that has helped in a practical way.

Only one other therapist has ever helped at all, and that was more helping through...understanding...? Not practical helping like this current therapist. The other therapist DID ask me to go over some horrific events, then she explained to me in a matter of fact way what had happened. That it wasn't my fault and that I had been taking responsibility for things that I would never expect another person to be responsible for. That didn't seem to have an impact on my day to day life, but did help me to treat myself a little kinder.

Do you think you could ask your therapist what the end game is? What is the goal with this line of therapy? Is it to help you feel better, or make better decisions, or come to term with things, or what? I'm certainly no expert on any of this, but it's what came to my mind as I read your post.