[rainbow8]

Does anyone feel like they are addicted to therapy? The symtoms are like any other addiction: craving, wanting it, knowing that too much is harmful but not being able to stop, thinking about it way too much, "falling in love" with the T, the intensity, the whole package deal? Not particularly a specific person, but any T. Thanks.

yes we definitely understand that! and given the fact that our counselor is abusive makes it that much more sick in our case. but yeah,counting the hours until we got there,wanting more and more and never satisified no matter that we went 2-3 times a week-it can easily be an addiction

[jenkins09]

I can see one easily becoming codependant upon their counselor..

[Aunt Donna]

Sometimes you just feel like your therapist is the only one who understands you. You want to see them all the time because when you are with them you feel like you can be yourself and open up. I hope that makes sense.

[rainbow8]

Yes, it makes sense to want to be with a T, but this has gone on with different Ts for almost 15 years. It's become THE issue.

rainbow8, your query would be a good one for your therapist. If your therapist does not think you are benefiting from therapy, he/she should tell you. If you are told you no longer need therapy and start seeing another therapist, my thought is for you to ask the therapist during the first session to tell you when you no longer need therapy.

Good luck.

[rainbow8]

Trinity, that's how it's been for me.

jenkins, I'm not sure if that's what codependency is, or is it?

fay, it makes sense but it's not just that.

TheByzantine: Thank you for replying. My former T said I could use monthly check-in visits indefinitely, though she said I was ready to stop regular sessions long before she suggested that. She knew I was too attached to her, but she couldn't help me with it. She was too strict with me, and I kept fighting her on it. I was with her for 5 years plus 2 more "as needed" but not monthly. There was always some benefit besides the "addiction" part, so she let me continue to see her.

I've already been with my new T for a few months. She's different--does IFS and EMDR and we are actively working on why I want to stay in therapy forever as the main issue. My former T didn't let the child part of me have her say, which I needed to do badly. I think this time it will work, but if not, I will definitely ask her what I am supposed to do.

[Grithnir]

I have been up and down about therapy. A male therapist usually cracks open my exterior shields and then I end up getting in a fight about personal information I am not likely to share and then it breaks down with me finding a female therapist to console me and then not ask any important questions that would help me. This is a cycle that my medication provider gets me involved. She thinks I am too brainy and I need a male therapist with a lot of experience but they scare me because I envy how controlled they can be with emotions and I break down after a while and they don't comfort me. Whereas when I return to a female therapist they are more sympathetic to my emotional side and this is how the cycle goes. I am giving it a shot with a new male therapist since I revealed what the last one said to me during our sessions which resulted in his termination. When I am with other men I feel like I need to sharpen my mind with a sword fight of the intellect and then I break down because they always win because I am the patient. But I am still addicted to it and go weekly. It's my most important meeting of the week.

Heal on, rainbow8.