Posted by Susan J on November 14, 2003, at 11:05:56
In reply to Worried about today's session, posted by Dinah on November 14, 2003, at 10:20:02
Hi, Dinah,
>>So last time he decided to try it out.
>
> I fell apart completely.
<<I'm clueless about the challenging part vs. the supportive part, but did he *warn* you or reassure you that it's normal to be upset with a therapist challenging you? Did it take him by surprise? I guess I'm not sure why he'd keep doing something that upset you so much.....> One thing I do remember vividly is that he told me in a rather ominous tone that we would have to talk more about him being able to challenge me.
<<What's the benefit of being challenged to you? And did it elicit from you what you wanted, even though you were very upset? Maybe he just means *he* needs to tone it down a bit....does it have to be all or nothing?> I remembered after leaving that he also didn't give his standard reminder to call him if I needed to. But I did anyway, and he wasn't mad or anything.
<<If he was startled by your being upset, I'm sure he just forgot to remind you to call. I'm sure it doesn't mean he doesn't want you to call or anything....Good luck, I'm sure things will go fine for you. I'll be thinking of ya,
Susan
poster:Susan J
thread:279699
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20031114/msgs/279715.html