Hi Mary Alice,

I hear you - I get that you don't like the idea that you would need to attend this group if you want to keep working with your therapist. I understand this. I still think there could be value and benefits in the group if you are willing to give it a chance. I know lots of people who've derived positive value from DBT therapy/classes. I guess I just wonder if it might be worth giving it a chance to see how it might go - just trying to go with an open mind, and giving yourself the option to participate. Okay, maybe you might like to listen at first but maybe try to participate later on, after a couple of sessions. Try to get the most out of it that you can.

The times you've talked about self-injury here, it sounds to me like it is a very hard thing for you. I know it is for me. And even when it provides some sort of comfort or release, I find it very scary, and I wish I could learn to stop it and find other ways of dealing with things. Well, DBT is one way that a lot of people have successfully found a way to stop self-injury and find different coping methods. So I guess I find myself wondering if it might be worth giving it a try, hard as it might be?

And I also wonder if it might be worth talking with your therapist more about the feelings you are having about him, and the various things which have transpired...I am wondering if you are feeling angry with him and that is part of the problem, too?

I am doing better with self-injury, working hard with my counselor, but it is still a struggle sometimes. It takes a lot of work and doing things I don't want to do sometimes, I have to admit. But I keep in mind the goal that I want to get better and stop feeling scared like this, and stop self-injuring, etc. And I keep working.

Anyway, I'm thinking of you, Mary Alice. And I send you good wishes and my support.

Take care,
ErinBear