LOL - careful what you wish for ! Seriously, I don't think I have any - it sounds like you're doing really well and making good decisions. Oh - other than to pat yourself on the back (which I guess I kinda snuck in there!) and you know... it's ok to sometimes take a break, turn off the phone, close the curtains, whatever... and do something nice and relaxing to take care of YOU. You know... "me time!". Especially in the midst of the all the stress and craziness, if you can find a tiny little bit of time/energy to do something that will help you *recharge*, that could be good. (But ignore this if it feels like pressure... like when my T told me my homework was to do "three fun things" and I freaked out!)

You saw me post about the DBT class then? You know what, when he started talking about it - I totally thought of you, and everything you've been struggling with around the DBT stuff. It's funny how we can think we're being empathic... but gosh, when it actually happens to us, it sure feels a lot BIGGER!

But I'm not going to steal your thread here, nope! (Shhh... though I think you're right, learning skills sounds like it just might, maybe, be helpful!) As soon as I get out of chocolate-induced crazy jitters over this DBT thing, I'm sure I'll be making a whole other post just to deal with!

And... oh boy! They haven't given you the start date yet? Yikes. That kind of stuff drives me nuts! It's hard to make plans, and feel grounded, when people aren't providing basic, important information!

Thanks for the good thoughts about my T (and the wish to share yours!). Yup, still trying... and in all fairness, there's a lot that he does well, especially compared to previous Ts. Though I wish I could convince him to not start out sessions with his most serious face... the joking that you and your T did sounds like the perfect ice-breaker for me. That's exactly the kind of interacting that makes me feel comfortable and safe!

The secret is to use one hand, and pat the OPPOSITE side of your back (*ducking*). Sorry, couldn't resist. Every time my T talks about this, he tries to show me that "for humans, patting yourself on the back is hard" by taking his left hand, and trying to pat himself over the left shoulder. Silly T! I keep saying, "hey, try the other shoulder!" but I'm not sure it's sinking in !

But seriously, it sounds like you've made an amazing amount of progress in two years! Yay! (Said in my best, happiest, cheering-for-you voice!) I had one therapist that I saw for three years, and really, did nothing . So, I guess I'd say, "progress doesn't just happen because you go and sit with a therapist for 50 minutes every week - YOU must be DOING something to get those results, and that's worth celebrating!"

(((Yay, ScarletPimpernel)))