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Originally Posted by guilloche
Starfishing - wow. You sound like you've got such a good handle on what was happening in your past therapy, and such a great (skilled!) therapist now.
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Well, it's much easier to see what was wrong/lacking with 20/20 hindsight! At the time I was often just confused and frustrated that things didn't seem to be going anywhere, while agonizing (and often self-blaming) over the fact that I didn't feel like the therapist(s) understood me at all.
Quote:
Originally Posted by guilloche
Do you mind if I ask what type of therapy you're doing now? I'm curious (because it's come up for me a couple times) if it's more psychoanalytical? It just *seems* like the psychoanalysts may (maybe?!?) have a better handle on this stuff, but maybe that's just the impression I have from reading (I've never seen one in person). Thanks!
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Yes, you're correct! I'm currently in psychoanalytic therapy twice a week, and I very much agree with you than his psychoanalytic training and approach are a significant part of why my current therapist is better equipped to work with me effectively, given the particular difficulties and resistances I have with being vulnerable
Quote:
Originally Posted by guilloche
I think though that the point you (and others) have made that being open/vulnerable is hard work is important. I think that, with some of my past therapists, there's been... reactions from them about things that I say. Reactions that make me feel either not heard, or judged, or not good in some way... it's *really* hard to continue to try being open, especially with even harder material, after that!
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Oh yes, it can be so incredibly painful to put so much effort into opening up and then feel like that effort is disrespected, or like the therapist is judgmental.