Yrs back, another client had given T a gift. Can't even remember what it was now. I noticed it and T took it out if the room by my next visit. I can't remember the conversation around this. I remember feeling cared about. That T took my feelings into consideration. (she's very good at keeping therapy free of other clients. I've never in 11yrs seem another client and T said that would never happen.
Last week I noticed there was a little pottery ornament on her book shelves. She asked if I wanted to look at it. I said, OK.
Then she asked if it was OK to keep it there? I remember thinking that it must be a gift from another client. T said as she replaced it that it was an American Indian trinket.
I thought about this client having had a holiday and bringing it back for T. All these thoughts happened in a nano second. AND apart from a little curiosity, this time, I was fine with T keeping the gift in our room.
Probably because I believe now that T 'giving of gerself' to another doesn't threaten what I have with her. That T has enough for all. That felt better this time.