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Old Feb 12, 2008, 10:28 AM
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chaotic13 chaotic13 is offline
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Member Since: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,747
</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Free1 said:
my husband gets upset with me after i have a session because it draws out feeling i have and he usually gets the brunt of it

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I think this is a fairly normal response, at least it is for me. During a session I get a glimpse of what healthy communication and exchange is like. I started to see how I was allowing myself to be treated and that it wasn't working for me. Once aware, I then want to change things--immediately; but change takes time and it takes both people. In my case I needed (still need) to talk with my husband about my new wants and needs so he can decide if he is willing make certain changes. I;m also learning that I need to allow him adequate opportunity collaborate on establishing new rules of engagement. Since he is not in therapy, is very defensive, and tends to like the status quo, many changes have met with great conflict and resistance. All I can say today is.. we are still together and fumbling forward.

How I try to prevent him from being blasted immediately following a therapy session is that I have a 24 hour hold on raising any complaints or discussions regarding stuff uncovered in therapy. This allows me to sit on things,settle myself down, process, and plan a little bit on how to open up a discussion with him.

Since I also have a lot of emotion surface after the session instead of during, I journal a lot just to get it out of my head. I come here to PC to express myself. I get some really good insight and many times a reality check.

Recently, I stepped out of my little hole brought one of my friends into my inter-circle. This was extremely difficult for me to do, but has paid really good dividends. When things get really tough to deal with, she is willing sit and let me vent to her. Since there are times when she needs to vent too, we serve as each other's listener. We can listen to each others crap and not have it follow us home. This has been probably the biggest benefit to therapy, its given me some guts and much needed practice at talking.

I hope you continue to get well. Maybe your husband just needs some time to begin to see the changes in you.

As for you feeling useless, maybe you could take a closer look at how valuable you are to the relationship and household. The things you listed at the end of your post are important and are necessary jobs. Just because they don't directly earn money doesn't mean they aren't valuable contributions to the relationship.
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