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Old May 06, 2016, 04:34 AM
brillskep brillskep is offline
Poohbah
 
Member Since: Dec 2013
Location: Europe
Posts: 1,256
From what you say, it sounds like you were in a very bad emotional place so it didn't work either when she tried to respect your silence or when she tried to engage with you (though I think respecting your silence would have implied actually sitting there with you, seeing you, not just typing up notes, so that's something I really think was unprofessional). Beside that, I think she just wasn't attuned to you - didn't understand what you were going through emotionally and what you needed her to do. Her questions seem logical but it sounds like she stopped on a thinking levcel and wasn't really with you emotionally? Anyway, I'm sorry you've been in such a bad place. Communication is difficult on both sides when it becomes so hard to express what's going on inside, and it's even more difficult to get out of that place without good help.

As for the payment, I've been there, barely being able to afford therapy, sometimes not at all, and I know how it can make us wonder about the authenticity of the therapeutic relationship. On the other hand, she did offer 4 payment options, which is a lot of options. So that makes me think it's not just a business transaction because if you go to most other types of businesses and can't afford something, you don't get it, period. I'm sorry the options weren't helpful though. Of course there's a business side to therapy and I've experienced first hand how painful that can be, especially at difficult times or during ruptures. But I felt I would write that to me, reading this, four options trying to help you means she does want to work with and help you (even though she may or may not be able to). Sometimes if I am feeling rejected or like I'm just the business for my therapist, I tend not to see what he does do for me, which is why I thought I'd mention this.

Also, even though there is a business aspect, most therapeutic relationship also have genuine caring. Only you can tell whether or not your therapist really cares about you (but being your therapist, can't just offer services for free, even though she does want to help) or if she really just wants the money. There is something my therapist has said to me that I tend to use a lot myself and seemed like great advice - listen to your intuition about this and you will know if it's real or not. Sounds simple but it really helped me to hear it so thought I'd share.