I hadn't thought of what I spoke about with T last session until I read your post. Interestingly, I think we also talked about boundaries but just didn't use the word. I was talking about how people in my family constantly pressure me. For example, if my husband doesn't come over with me to dinner one holiday, they constantly ask, "Where is H? Did I do something to upset him?" and keep going on and on. I finally said, I don't know, ask him! They didn't get the message. Also, I was pressured to join all family events to keep the peace, and if I didn't people were angry at me. T told me that I needed to teach people how to treat me (since they are walking all over me). I was kind of perturbed and asked why I have to change and be assertive when it doesn't come naturally to me. Why can't these people just treat me with respect without me asking it of them? It sounds like we are all learning rule of which we were unaware. It's strange being so old and figuring out, hey, I had no idea other people thought/did this. I guess maybe we all are coming out of the cave we've been living in. The rules out here are very strange. I think we ought to ban together and change them. Rule number one: T's job is to be a surrogate parent. There. Problem Solved. ((((Kiya))))
After we all finish therapy, we're going to be @#$@ches, lol. Watch out, here we come!