Jennie, I think your t sounds amazing! I think I can tell a bit when mine is overwhelmed or busy. She can 'come off' a little scattered at times and I dislike that...she revealed she has 35 total patients, I kinda wonder if that's a lot. it seems as though it is....

Echoes, thanks for the support! I LOVE this thread because I really am curious about our Ts and I think we do need to think about them, their characteristics at least, in regard to our own relations with them. I hope I get some ppl reflecting on these if they're not already, because this is a significant relationship, the therapeutic dyad.

My t says that this IS one of the most important relationships, it's intense, and it's not necessarily replicated anywhere else in the same way, in our lives. She says she has to believe that how we relate in therapy, how we overcome hurdles together, resolve conflict together and nurture together is how I'm applying it in the greater part of my life. In this way it's ok for me to become happy with her, upset with her etc...it's all in how we move forward.

She says she learns how I (or her other patients) let themselves be cared for (or not in my case) in therapy. How we take care of ourselves or maintain care in the outside realtionships is something revealed with her.

Hopefull, the cat thing is so cool! Yes, to be a furry little creature and sit in the lap or on the feet of my t would be so wonderful! Sounds like distractions are so intrusive! I hope to never experience this. I am always scheduled last and nobody else is there. I know she does this for me on purpose for my comfort and ability to feel more open. I wouldn't be afraid to mention you don't want too much advice unless you prompt her for it. I've done the same with mine as she goes off with tons of info on semthing random like diest and sleep. I tell her, I don't want to be using our time to talk about this stuff.....

Suzy, so cool you get hugs from pdoc. Mine is a man, and I take phone sessions with him-don't wanna see him. I had to go in person though the first time and my t went with me as she referred him. I know they discuss some of my treatment but I don't want to see him at all.

Calm, I like that you respect those boundaries! It's so hard for me, I want crossings but I don't ya know?