Quote:
Originally Posted by 2or3things
I often get worried about bumping up against boundaries in T, at the same time that I'd do anything to get my T to take care of me. When I get especially anxious about it all she often says something that you might find helpful. At those times she says something along the lines of "We can talk about (through) anything. What we won't do is act it out."
I think that gratification, in a therapy context, might be about trying to have T fulfill our wishes/wants without taking a critical look at them to figure out what's going on. The problem with gratification (without the necessary working through, at least) is that it never fixes the problem. It temporarily feels great sometimes, but it's like a fix we need to keep going back for because we don't deal with the underlying issue.
I personally hate that (because who doesn't want their wishes fulfilled!), but I also think it makes sense.
The good news for you, Purple, is that it means that not only is it OK to talk about your transference issues...it's absolutely crucial!
Hope this helps!
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I like what your T says, 2or3things. I will try to remember that next time. Sometimes I wonder if something I say will fall flat and my T will be thinking that I have no therapeutic need to be telling her something. I am hyper-aware of my feelings having the potential to make things awkward or seem strange or excessive.

Thanks for clearing up what was meant by the gratification thing!