Quote:
Originally Posted by zooropa
Talked to T this morning. She said, among other things, that there is nothing going on between us, that there is nothing we need to talk about regarding our relationship. I can't even tell you how invalidating that is. It's like gaslighting, because it makes me wonder...could she be right?
So? Could she? Is it possible that this is all something going on in my head and that there is nothing for us to talk about?
|
from a clients point of view I have had many times when I felt something was wrong with mine and my therapists client-therapist relationship. sometimes I was right there was something going on and sometimes I misinterpreted what my therapist was saying, or my therapists posture, facial expressions. and sometimes it was my mental disorders telling me something was wrong when there wasnt.
from a mental health provider's point of view it is so easy to accidentally mislead a client. one wrong move of the eyes, or twitch of movement at the wrong or using words the client has other meanings for can be interpretted as "my therapist dont like me', "my therapist....whatever the client can be thinking". and accidentally end up in a battle the therapist doesnt know exists with in the client. and we therapists also have to keep in mind what our clients mental disorder, challenges and so much more during our time with that client. Sometimes it is the clients mental disorder or challenges that cause the client to think something is wrong when there is nothing wrong, and sometimes clients do misinterpret what we do and say or look like.
my therapist and I have found a way through this is it the therapist? is it the client? is it the disorder? or is it nothing delema... and I use it with my clients.
5 minutes before the session ends I begin the closing of the session my therapist tells me (and I tell my clients) we are at the 5 minute mark while you think on things for a minute or two I would like you to fill out this survey about todays session.
the survey has questions on it like
did we talk about what you needed to talk about today. yes, no, sort of, in a round about way (and a few other choices)
if not marked yes, can you breifly write a line or two about what the not discussed topic is and if you would like to mark this for discussion next week?
Do you feel our interaction today was beneficial?
if not what can I do to help you feel more comfortable?
Is there anything you would like me to do or be aware of, take into consideration during your time with me?
any questions or other thoughts you would like me to know today?
is there anything you would like to do or talk about next week?
Rate this session on a scale of 1-10 how you think todays session went.
both my therapist and I have found doing closing surveys extremely helpful in keeping our therapy time on track and those questionable delemas from being swept under the rung or built up into "explosions" and 'I want to quit seeing you" thought processes.
my clients tell me they find the closing surveys very helpful too. not only does it help them bring their client therapist relationship problems to me, it also gives them a way to see in writing their progress, make gaols and plans for the next session or telling me things they would like to try that they may think otherwise isnt worth bringing up.
maybe you and your therapist can do something like this and see how it goes.
