Wow... thank you so much for sharing. I read your post, and what a painful yet beautiful story. I too have wrestled with attachment issues and sort of this unconscious search for a “good enough mother” and it can sure be troublesome. I also found EMDR to be very helpful, and as you touched on, it helped me see that therapy doesn’t all have to be about attachment and “pseudo-mothers” and all that. With my EMDR therapist, I liked her and felt safe enough with her and we established a good rapport, but I never got attached to her and when it came time to leave, I felt comfortable doing so because our work together was meaningful and helpful to me, yet she hadn’t fostered a dependent relationship.

Again, I’m sorry that you went through what you did. I’m glad that you have decided to speak up about it as well. Hopefully our sharing of our stories will reach more people and either provide them comfort in knowing they are not alone, or serve as a sort of PSA that therapy can harm. Also, the self care practice that you detailed seems very compassionate and healing... something that I hope you continue as long as it serves you and that I may consider applying to myself. I wish you nothing but continued healing!