Maybe what she was trying to get you to consider are words that might be helpful to you in dealing with an emotional panic. Since she will not be available by phone when she's on vacation, maybe she was trying to help you imagine what a conversation might be like so that you could use that imaginary conversation as a fallback if needed. Yes, I think I understand that but if I had have already learned how to talk myself down, I wouldn't need to connect with her. So, I think she made a mistake responding to me in that way instead of actually giving me guidance on what to do



I'm really, really good at withdrawing from my emotions...unfortunately, they just come out in other ways. I tried pulling away from my emotions when I first started really tapping in to them with my T. She encouraged me not to do that. What I've found is that the more I pull away from my emotions, the more difficult they are to eventually handle,Yeah, you're right and I know that from personal experience. Maybe I'll try to open up again when she gets back from vacation. and the more pronounced they are when they finally do surface. Feeling is HARD, but it's really the better option. What I've learned from my T is that if I just stop and let myself feel whatever it is I'm feeling, the emotion will pass. Emotions are really fleeting things, as long as we pay attention to them.So, you're saying that if I pay close attention, they won't stick around as long? So, now, when I'm feeling something...I stop and take a few minutes to pay attention to it. Where in my body do I feel it, what is this emotion trying to tell me, etc. I do some deep breathing and just let myself be present. It's really, really hard to do, especially when I'm panicking. But, it does work. I'm not very good at it yet, but I've seen the difference, and I like it.

I've noticed you like to be able to read about things...I do too. My T recently recommended a book called I Know I'm In There Somewhere by Helene Brenner, which talks about listening to your inner voice and listening to your emotions. The first time I read through the book, it made me mad, but the second time, I took away a lot of valuable information.I just ordered it. Why did it make you mad at first reading?