Thread: Fight or Flight
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Old Feb 15, 2009, 02:18 PM
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sunrise sunrise is offline
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Member Since: Jan 2007
Location: U.S.
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I really disagree with his "fight or flight" comments. Sounds like he is trying to shame you into behaving in a "fight" manner, which for some reason he considers superior to "flight".

Quote:
He also says he is about to terminate with me, cuz I told him I bought an SI tool.
I don't really understand this approach. If a therapist will terminate a client for SI, then where are they supposed to go to get help? I agree with what others have said, that he should be exploring WHY you felt the need to buy the SI tool. Maybe if he understood WHY you have the urge to SI, he could help you work on that problem. SI is just a symptom, not the problem itself.

I found it a flag of sorts when he mentioned meds in his contract, "especially with you off meds", and how he says you would be forced to take meds as an inpatient. It seems like if he believes you should be taking meds, he should talk to you about it in a direct way and explain his reasoning. I am wondering if this is referring back to a conversation you and he have had before. I know you have posted before about challenges you face now that you are not taking meds that you did take for a long time.

I hear a lot of anxiety in his contract, his behavior, his mention of meds. I think he is really worried about you and trying everything he can to help. Maybe this contract and threatening you with termination weren't the best approach, but I hear some desperation in this and a strong desire to help you stay safe. I think he should get some supervision on this.
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Thanks for this!
Simcha