Hi Granite,

I would guess that your reaction to your t is not based on the reality of the situation. I don't mean that you are lying. The strong feelings and deep pain you are feeling are real! But the way you are interpreting your t's feelings and actions are most likely not accurate.

You are guessing about the reasons why your t did what she did, and said what she did. And your guesses (she's mean, sarcastic, and hates you) don't fit who you are finding her to be as a person over time. The way you are describing her sounds more like your mother.

I think the chair location triggered you, and your strong pain and reactions are due to that. It brought up all your pain about how your mom treated you. And so, being lost in that old pain, you assumed your t was being the same way your mom had been toward you.

I have done similar things like this in my therapy, and it can be really, really hard to see the clear picture of what's going on when all that old pain gets stirred up! It's like the present and the past get all mixed up.

Please talk to your t about this. I think it's really important for you to get clarification about what her behaviors meant. . .and also to remind her that the chair location is potentially triggering for you--and why.