Connection with my T helps me to see myself from another perspective. When I began T, I had issues with intense anxiety, bouts of depression, and very poor coping skills. Through discussing these issues with T, I'm finding that the image I have of myself varies greatly from how people in my life view me. I have been developing trust, which is to say that I'm practicing listening without immediately dismissing her points as invalid or insane. Exploring what she's telling me without knee jerk judgement has allowed me to see where her points are actually dead on. Appreciating that her points are accurate allows me to continue to listen and explore myself from new perspectives. This process of gaining a new understanding of myself has helped to relieve my symptoms of anxiety and depression... even though 8 months ago I never would have thought it was possible. I was very resistant at the start. I approached therapy from a very clinical stance and spoke to her like I would speak to my mechanic. Eventually the pain of not making progress got great enough and I became willing to let down my guard a bit and learn to listen.

There are times when I become very irritable. When this happens I begin to fear myself. But because I've allowed T to get to know me, she is able to talk me down from the fear and irritability. My hope is to one day be able to talk myself down.. but in the meantime I'm grateful to be learning that I can be talked down at all.

This is my experience. I hope it helps somewhat.