Hi Rainbow,

I think my reply in the C-PTSD thread has made you feel uneasy and afraid (or at least has added to it!!!) PLEASE don't let what is going on with me and my t make you doubt the progress you are making with your t!! I think you are making very good progress with your t!

Also, I agree that everybody is different. . .what works for one patient doesn't work for another patient. We're all unique, and our needs are unique. It makes sense that we would each need a little different approach.

I was in a horrible mood yesterday and was very negative in my post. But my rant about the situation my t and I are dealing with regarding attachment applies mainly to my situation, my feelings, etc. There are other like me, who feel they are too needy, and who have struggled in the t relationship for reasons like I stated in my post. But not everybody's experience is like mine.

Many t's and patients CAN come to a mutual agreeable as to how much contact and support, and what kind of contact and support, are needed by the patient and possible for the t to offer. I know of several people on PC who have therapists who are open to allowing more contact and support, as well as touch, and they seem to be benefitting very well from it. You are one of them! My concern isn't for patients like you who have more support, contact, and touch and are doing well because of it.

My concern is for patients who have very kind, well meaning therapists who want to provide support and corrective experiences to heal the wounds of their patients. . .but don't realize until later that it requires more time, energy, and comfort than they initially realized would be necessary. So at some point, they begin to feel burdened or fatigued, or to question whether providing so much support in the first place was a good idea. If they find it necessary to put stricter boundaries in place and reduce their support, it can really hurt and damage a patient who has come to rely on that support, and who already feels bad about themselves for being too needy.

Please don't overthink your situation, Rainbow! You and your t are doing awesome work!

I'm sorry if my post triggered you!

Peaches