Hi,

I'm wondering if I can write here about a difficulty I have in therapy, and see if others wrestle with it also. I actually have trouble with it in other areas of my life as well, but it is much more of a problem in therapy. I have a lot of trouble talking out loud. I can do better on some subjects (the weather, let's say) that aren't very emotionally involved. But other things....well...my throat chokes up and I physically cannot speak. I suspect a lot of people go into therapy and are able to talk, and talk, and talk - freely - and this isn't an issue for them. But the very thing that I am there to do is really a struggle for me. I suspect I came into the world as a more introverted person somehow, but I also know events of the past made it much harder for me to talk out loud in general.

I'm wondering if other people struggle with this, and how they deal with it. My current T is clearly frustrated with me, and with the situation.

The main prior counsellor I worked with was very patient, and gentle, and kind about this - and very encouraging. I did get better about talking with him over time, but that was such a different situation. He was okay if I wrote part of the time, and as we worked, I was gradually able to talk more. He was very encouraging. The T I am seeing now works in different ways, and isn't comfortable with me writing when I get...well...stuck.

Talking is really an extremely difficult thing for me. I'm working really hard on it, but I wish I had better ideas for dealing with this. I'm just wondering if others wrestle with is also.

Thanks for listening.

Take care,
ErinBear