Quote:
Originally Posted by HD7970GHZ
Hi all,
I'm seeing a therapist and I am attached before I trust. I have past abuse in therapy and it makes it especially difficult.
How do I cope?
Thanks,
HD7970ghz
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I think this is really good information for you to work with. Forming an attachment with someone before they have demonstrated they are safe and trustworthy can really open us up to dangerous situations. As children we don't really have any choice but to form attachments with the caregivers we have, regardless of their caregiving capabilities. As children, even if caregivers hurt us, it is still a safer survival strategy to attach to them and take whatever caregiving tidbits they throw our way than to be alone.
But when that attachment strategy continues into adulthood it can open us up to unnecessary harm. Forming attachments to any available caregiver at the first sign of them giving care will allow you to receive at least
some caregiving, but it doesn't allow you to screen out those who might be sub-standard caregivers, or even abusers hiding behind a mask of caregiving.
This attachment pattern likely served a really important in your past, but I can see you yourself recognize it is problematic now. It sounds like it might be time to dig in to how this attachment strategy works or doesn't work for you and really give it some deep exploration.