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East17
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Member Since Mar 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 536
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Default Sep 18, 2024 at 01:01 PM
 
I would say my current therapy relationship is probably as close to my ideal as it's possible to get.

The upsides:
Current TR is alternating weeks online with f2f. Online lasts an hour, f2f lasts 90 minutes; sessions do run over if we are in the middle of processing something, she never just cuts it short.
In-between contact is allowed by email or text. I use it mainly for communicating things I have problems verbalising, and then we'll use it as a basis for discussion in session. I never expect a reply from T, although she does sometimes send a brief reply.
She allows a hug at the end of the session if I want it.
T has very few actual boundaries (at least none that I've bumped up against).
T shares personal information if she thinks it will be helpful. She doesn't give advice, but will make suggestions if she thinks it will be useful but there is never any compulsion to take it.
T understands the complexities of being a Carer because she is one. She also understands the challenges of living with a specific neurological condition, one that ironically, I share with her partner, so she understands that from the inside out too.

The downsides:
T sometimes over-shares a little too much.
The carer side of her life occasionally gets in the way of sessions and we might need to reschedule.
She lives too far away to do f2f every week, so every other week is a compromise.

Despite the challenges of her dual-life, I would not swap my T for anything.

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Thanks for this!
LonesomeTonight