I worried quite a bit about this a few months ago, and I finally talked to my T about it. I told her that I didn't want to unleash all of my stuff on her, because I didn't want to harm her in any way or overwhelm her at all. I told her that she hears so many difficult things from people day in and day out and I didn't want to worry her. She could not have said more perfect words to comfort my me. She told me that she does not internalize any of her clients' problems, but she does have enormous empathy and compassion for us. She leaves what goes on in her office, in her office.

She says her office is a safe place for us to share our deepest and darkest hurts and pains, and she likes to think of it like someone comes in at night and sucks it all up and takes all that yuck away, because she doesn't take it home with her. She said she has to leave it in her office or she wouldn't be taking good care of herself so that she can give to us each day. She told me not to worry about her (of course I do), because she wouldn't be a very good therapist if she couldn't handle it. She said maybe someone else couldn't handle it, but she definitely can. She told me how much she absolutely loves her job and never plans to retire, because she loves it so much. Since then, I've been able to be completely open and honest with her about my pain and my abuse. She said it's not my job to take care of her or spare her feelings. She wants all of me, my happy and my sad.