tree, those are such amazing changes. I bet if you sat there in therapy, and read off your list to T, he would get tears in his eyes. Sometimes people wonder if it is OK to get their T a gift, or what it should be, or how much it should cost. I think the best gift a T can receive is his client recounting all the changes since beginning therapy. I hope your T knows, tree, because he deserves some applause, and so do you.

Some of my changes:
--I've become a better listener, learning to listen for the underlying feeling rather than what the words are saying
--I've become more aware of what I am feeling (I was terrible at this when I began therapy)
--I've come to see that it is a good thing to express feelings and I've learned to do this more readily. I am not as ashamed or embarrassed if others see what I am feeling.
--I've learned that it is OK to have needs (still working on this, but I understand the concept)
--I've learned that a person can work on their life and have certain goals and try to accomplish them. I don't have to sit around and let things happen to me and then be limited in my response by reacting to them. A person can take the lead, try to affect change purposefully, and be more active in creating the life they want.
--I've learned that it's OK to be who I am (greater authenticity)