I've been pondering on the subject of t support. How much support is "too little?" How much support is "too much?" I know that individuals vary, so their need for t support will also vary. But what is the solution when the t and patient can't agree on what amount of t support is necessary? What if the t believes that less support is preferable so that the client will rely more on their own coping skills and strengths? But the patient experiences times when, even though they use their coping skills as much as possible, they still need more support from their t than the t is willing to give? The patient then feels abandoned during a time of need. What if being abandoned in a time of need (in childhood) is what created their issues in the first place?

So a cycle happens in therapy. . . the patient moves forward and makes progress for a period of time. But eventually, they reach a point where they feel in crisis and need more from t, but t doesn't provide it. Then the patient feels very hurt and abandoned.

What if t and patient talk it over, resolve it, but later, the same things keeps happening again and again? Patient needs more than t can offer? It makes the patient afraid to get into the deeper therapy work because they don't feel confident that t will be there if needed in a greater capabity. On the other hand, t feels that the patient should have enough skills not to need this extra support.

This is where t and I am now. . .

PS - When I say "extra support," I am referring mainly to times when the patient has experienced something triggering or painful to such a degree that their coping skills are not enough. So they call or email t. But t says she is too busy, and can't address the situaiton for a couple of days.