[MissCharlotte]

I loved this article and thought I would share it:

http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/psyc...55041?verify=0

[coconut64]

(((((((((MC)))))))))))) thanks for posting. Very interesting, esp because it's from a Ts perspective. I wonder if I will keep in touch with T once we terminate, whenever that is. I wonder if he would ever agree to have lunch with me in say 20 years. OMG!!!!!

[MissCharlotte]

LOL Coco, I fantasized about the lunch part too! Are we pathetic or what?

[ECHOES]

I loved the article, but I think I feel intimidated by the success stories.
I love the T's fond recollections

[coconut64]

LOL MC!!!! Not pathetic...hopeful perhaps?

I like it because although the main purpose of the article is to explain how she has affected her patients and how her interventions have continued to produce growth and hope even after her work was over, if you read between the lines, you can see how she has been affected by it all too. I often wonder how our pain, failures and successes affect our Ts. I saw T today for an emergency session. I was crying and crying, his eyes were moist and he let out a tear or two. He was there with me feeling my pain. Beyond the countertransference, beyond keeping a professional distance, beyond objective caring, this type of work has to touch their souls in so many different ways. That's what this artcle implies in so many ways.

[MissCharlotte]

((Coco))
It sounds like a beautiful session albeit painful. I'm so sorry you are in a crummy place right now. Sigh. I don't think T ever shed a tear in 3 years and I wonder if it's because of him or me. However, we did have an interesting exchange the other day. I told him I hoped that he got something out of our relationship too although I wasn't sure what he could be getting and he said he did get something out of the relationship. It was a quick phone conversation and I intend to pursue this further. Inquiring minds want to know, and I need to know it's a two way street.

[MissCharlotte]

((Echoes))

You know what? I feel intimidated also, but at the same time I can conjure up T's voice inside of me now saying, "Miss, you are safe." And that is a priceless gift. I think what I envy are the clients of hers who seem soooo healed. I am not sure I can get to that place--it's still far away for me.

Originally Posted by MissCharlotte

LOL Coco, I fantasized about the lunch part too! Are we pathetic or what?

Not pathetic. I've been in contact fairly regularly with my t from the early 80's. We're more friends than t and client now I guess because he certainly doesn't do therapy with me. We keep in touch and let each other know what is going on for us personally and professionally.

[BlueMoon6]

I want to read the article but I keep getting a message that the link appears to be broken

Miss- Can you re-paste the article into another post? Thanks-

[Luce]

I agree - not pathetic! I keep in contact with my old T, and I know two other clients of hers (my friends ) who do as well. I love keeping in contact with her, and I know she enjoys it too. My friends occaisionally go out for lunch with her, and since I now live in a different city I just keep in contact by email and the odd phone call.
Both my friends and I were long term clients of hers, and she supported each one of us from a place of hopelessness, misery and helplessness to a place of emotional and mental health (the latter more so for my friends, but I'm getting there).
Having no contact at all with someone who played such an enormous part in my life would just be plain wrong!

[elliemay]

Thanks for the article, it was a very interesting read. I'm always curious about the therapist's perspective on things.

I remember one time when my therapist told me that he was afraid of anything that I had to say, that he could handle it. No matter how awful, or dirty or shameful - he would be there with me.

I remember thinking "he must be superman or something".

Now, I know he's not superman, but the willingness of a human being to stand by me while I dealt with all the crap definately internalized.

In 20 years, I will still carry that, and a whole lot of other amazing stuff with me.

A lovely article...thanks for posting it!