Quote:
Originally Posted by chicken_wing
I am a graduate student. I feel very isolated and most of my friendships at school are superficial. I also recently lost 3 close friendships and separated from my husband in the past year. I don’t know anyone outside of school.
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This sounds like a really hard time for you, a time when you need support from your T. Do you feel supported when you go to therapy?
Quote:
Originally Posted by chicken_wing
It would be nice if my therapist did instruct me on how to get my needs met outside and how to form boundaries
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Maybe your T doesn't know you are sitting their wishing for instruction on these topics. I think sometimes we can be goal-directed in therapy to good result. If making friends is your highest priority, for example, can you tell your T and then work in a concerted way on that? When we have a ton of stuff going on in our lives, though, and it sounds like you may be there, what with your recent separation from your H and loss of friends, it can be hard to work in a goal-directed way. We just try our best to get by, and our T stands by us in this difficult time. Later, when you are past the hump, then you can work on a specific objective.
I've also found some books to be good on topics you mentioned, not as a replacement for therapy, but as an information source.
For learning how to set boundaries:
Where to Draw the Line: How to Set Healthy Boundaries Every Day. by Anne Katherine
For learning how to make friends, with lots of good examples:
Personal Village: How to have people in your life by choice, not chance. by Marvin Thomas