The first time I saw my T out in public was at the mall. I turned a corner and saw her a little ways ahead of me. I freaked out, turned back around, and booked it out of the mall as fast as I could before she saw me. I sat in my car shaking, and couldn't even look at her the next time I went into a session. I think for me it was a shock to see her exist as a normal person, but the biggest reason it horrified me to see her in public was because it triggered my "I'm bothering her" issues. I felt like I was intruding on her life. I was so sure she felt burdened by having to see me in session, that to have to see me outside of a session seemed like an awful thing for her to have to deal with. For about a year afterward, I would check every parking lot for her car before I went into a store to make sure I wouldn't intrude on her time by going into a store she was in. I felt so much shame over the thought that I might bother her. We talked about and have worked a lot on my mommy issues that I was playing out with her. My mom hated having me around and constantly told me what a burden I was just existing. I have realized this is where my shame comes from, so now I try really hard not to avoid places just because my T could be there. We live a mile apart...I am bound to run into her. When I do now, I try to remind myself she doesn't see me as a burden and I don't let myself run. I make myself say hi to her, and she knows the issues I'm working on, so she makes sure I know she is okay with me doing that. I have to admit I still avoid shopping or going to the gym when she is off work so I don't have to worry as much about seeing her. It's a work in progress