Stopdog,

I've read many of your posts, and it's clear that you need something different from your therapy than what the majority of other therapy clients need. I think that's one mistake your therapists have made with you (assuming that what helps most other clients will also help you in the same way).

The only thing that I can think of that might change this situation is for you to be very candid and clear about what you want and do not want from them. You are very candid here. Are you just as candid when you are in therapy?

I've occasionally had my therapist respond in ways that she thought would be helpful, when it actually made things much worse for me. When that happens, we have to talk about it, sometimes several times, until I'm sure that I have conveyed my feelings to her sufficiently that she understands why her response was not helpful.

I have also had to come right out and ask for what I need at times, even when I feel that it should be obvious to her by now. It surprises me sometimes to find out that she has misinterpreted something I've said, when I believe I've made my point clearly.