So, T recently had me do part of an Imago exercise for homework--it's technically a thing for couples, but this particular exercise looks at stuff from childhood, like memories, feelings, frustrations, etc., and he said it can benefit most anyone in understanding more about their adult relationships. I had to respond to some prompts on a couple sheets. Today, in session, he had me read my answers to those, in some cases prioritizing them. And then he interpreted and filled out answers, as he put it "Mad Libs" style (for those who are familiar with that) on another sheet. Then read it back to me. It's supposed to reflect on how my childhood needs/emotions/frustrations affect my current relationships, particularly my marriage. And I could edit as needed (crossing out, adding stuff, etc.).

Before we left, he photocopied it and gave me the original to take home. I keep looking at what he wrote. There's something about my feelings/needs being written in someone else's handwriting that's particularly affecting to me. Like it's making it more real, more legitimate, giving those feelings greater meaning. I also keep finding my eyes gravitating toward certain words that are part of the "what I want now" and in many cases "what I didn't get in childhood" categories: "connected, loved, accepted" and "accepted and understood for who I am, 'warts and all.'" (There are also critical, negative words on there, but my eyes don't go to them.)

It all seems rather profound to me, like there's something about this that's different from a T just saying (speaking) "I hear you and understand you." And I don't feel like it would be the same if it were typed either--it's something about the handwritten nature.

Has anyone else experienced this? I don't mean this particular exercise, just their T writing something about what they're feeling (or maybe a particular message to them) that has had a profound impact? Do you know what it's about, why it's particularly affecting you to see something written? Just trying to figure this out (and also wondering if it's a technique that could help me more in the future).