I read and re-read Briere too, and eventually I learned a lot about what was supposed to be happening in Ts office (and in me), and it helped so much. He really gave me some light into what was just scariness before.

His use of the term "self-trauma" confused me until I started reading James Chu's "Rebuilding Shattered Lives" at the same time. Chu wrote that in working with trauma, the T must establish safety FIRST and over all; if that work is not done, or not done thoroughly, the "uncovering" just causes more pain.

So Briere too - first works on safety (self) and when that is bolstered, he works on uncovering (trauma), then back to self, etc.

I noticed something that is apparently important - over and over again, Briere cautions that the impulse of the trauma patient is to flee therapy. Since reading that, I have tried to keep an eye out for my own desires to quit - trying to keep in mind that quitting is NOT the answer. hang in there........