I began seeing my favorite therapist when I was age 29. I remained a client of hers for 19 years. At age 48, my life unraveled very badly. I had become quite stable for about a year and was doing well on my job and at home. Then I became more unwell than I had ever been. I was unable to continue on my job. I experienced some transient financial hardship. At this difficult time we were meeting for sessions.

I was becoming more unwell. My meds were being managed by a pdoc who had treated me for over 4 years. I felt fortunate to be working with two persons whom I respected so much and who knew me so well. In no way did I blame anyone, other than myself, for the trouble in my mind and in my life. I was becoming a wreck, losing weight. My judgement was terrible. I thought I was going crazy. My pdoc intimated that my long-standing diagnosis of "dysthymia" might need revisiting. He was suggesting Bipolar disorder.

MY T invited me in for a "free" session. I expressed that it was disheartening in the extreme to have decompensated so badly. When I was at home, I was almost psychotic at times. My T presented with a stern demeanor and had the following points to make to me:
#1) "You are a Drama Addict."
#2) "You blame others for your problems."
#3) "Your life is a soap opera."
#4) "Do not delude yourself that you have ever really worked on your issues."

I left the session emotionally traumatized. I immediately made notes in the address book in my purse because I feared that I would later believe that this had not happened. The old address book is in front of me now with the T's four pronouncements recorded.

That was the last time I was in her office. For 19 years, I had believed that we had regarded each other with warmth and respect. I still believe that was true. I have not changed my opinion of her, which is one of high esteem. Our encounter on that day was out of character with everything I had previously experienced. A few years ago, someone was calling out to me while I was shopping. I turned and it was my former T, who expressed that it was so nice to see me, and how was I, and she was beaming a warm smile and just seemed so effusively delighted to have run in to me. Had she not gone out of her way to greet me, I would never have known she was there. So this was not an awkward forced encounter. I was bewildered that she sought to engage me. I stood there stunned. I was cordial.

"Is there something I want my (former) T to tell me?"

Yes. "Why?"