I had a similar reaction a while ago to being told I was courageous. I think T was trying to acknowledge how difficult this process was for me. But I really hated her saying it. For me it felt a bit dismissive because she always said it just as we were wrapping up. To me it was like, "yeah, yeah you say you feel horrible and this is scary but you're brave! Whoops! Times's up! You'll be okay because you're brave, so be a good girl and get on your way."

Eventually I told her how it made me feel and she hasn't said it since. The other day she said I was very capable and worked really hard in therapy. I was able to take that as a compliment and feel good about that. Maybe because I like to see myself as a hard worker.

There is something unsettling about being complimented on something you don't feel so good about.