ErinBear, I'm really sorry for your difficulties in therapy. ((((hugs)))) It sounds like your T has one approach and it is not comfortable for you and he is not willing to try something else. I guess you can either try his/her way a while or seek a new therapist. He seems to have made it clear that what you want is not what he can provide, so you either have to bend or leave. In my therapy sessions, I have responsibility for what we talk about. All the topics and the direction are of my own choosing, because I know best what I need to heal. That can be challenging, but it is also empowering, and I am grateful my T has given me that responsibility.

Once I was having difficulty feeling safe in therapy and my T asked me "what would make it safer for you here?" He was certainly willing to help make things safer, if he could, so I could trust him. I remember the only thing I could come up with was to turn out some of the lights. I felt too exposed in the light of his office and felt more comfortable in dimmer light. He obliged and turned out some of the lights. We did this for a few sessions until I felt safe enough to tolerate the normal lights. We have to ask for what we need so that the T's have a chance to provide it. I'm sorry that you may not have this option available to you in therapy.

TC, EB.
sunny