I've seen my t today and as happens on such days I tend to 'think' a lot. So I've been thinking about the depressive state I'm in and how 'disempowered' I have been feeling lately. And what about being in a trusting therapeutic relationship is 'empowering'? That when we do not have it for some time we feel our vitality slowly slipping away?
Mouse, I think you're onto something when you say that our need to be acknowledged is always there. And by someone who wants nothing from us. I believe this insight is the answer to my question about why a break in therapy makes for the slipping away of our strength....Something about the therapist allowing for our space, for us to be and exist, without her/him imposing their own personal agendas (hopefully, if they've done their own inner work...) makes for a more energized client. I guess it's empowering to talk to someone and be heard and listened to. Makes sense?