We have a 'rule' in therapy which is-- you can say anything, but you can't necessarily do it.

This rules comes into play when I say to my T, "You are a %#@&#! piece of %#@&#! therapist and I want to throw this book at you."

(Yes, I have said that to him).

So it's fine to say it, it's not fine to throw the book at him.

My T encourages the most free expression of emotion possible. I have called him some terrible things. Consequently, I have also let him know of the loving feelings I have towards him. There is never a limit on words or emotions in my sessions.

I believe strongly in this method and encourage the same thing with my own patients. It was funny when I was interning at the hospital, I would have patients come into my group and they would be all angry and cursing and then say, "Oh the nurses said I shouldn't be cursing like this..." and I would always said, "Oh, stop... don't worry-- you can curse in my group." I hate when people put filters on someone's flow of expression, particularly in that environment.