[Melbadaze]

I wonder if therapy suits introverted types more? I have a hard time with just "chit-chat" and need to understand whats going on inside of myself and someone else. I don't think therapy is a self indulgent thing, in any derogory sense of the word, but its the only way I can commuincate in life. With some people I find myself almost mute, I can't find anything to talk about, I try to do chit-chat but I find myselfl dying inside, then I find someone thats as interested as me therapy and I feel like I've come home.

Anyone else feel this way?

[WePow]

Interesting pondering. I am introvert but my T is extrovert (he has a large support system he has used as an example for me). I'm not sure really. Will be curious to hear what others think as well.

[pachyderm]

Originally Posted by Melbadaze

With some people I find myself almost mute, I can't find anything to talk about...

That's the time to listen to them, ask questions about them...

[Melbadaze]

\patchy, thats the problem at times, I do that and they dont know how to answer, they take the conversation back to chit chat.

[Perna]

I think it's more learning to converse (which I'm not good at); one kind of has to start with chit chat with people one doesn't know well? There's different times for different levels of conversation. I think some people are afraid of the deeper stuff, rather than necessarily extroverts. I think I'd divide people in two by whether they read a lot or not :-)

[BlueMoon6]

I dont think therapy is for introverts as opposed to extroverts. I am extroverted in many ways and can make chit-chat with a brick wall, though there are times I feel stuck inside myself and I dont want to chit chat or socialize. In therapy I can find things to talk about and so can my therapist. She is probably an extrovert. SHe can talk a blue streak and so can I. We once had a conversation about this.

In other words, I dont think therapy is more attractive to introverts. But probably is is a good relationship to have for someone who is less comfortable with social conversation. And I think someone who is more extroverted may have an easier time talking to their T. Though, that doesnt mean (IMO) that either and intro or extro would have an easier time talking about painful stuff. I dont think that has anything to do with intro or extro. Maybe it just has to do with ease with people or comversation.

I dont know...just my thoughts....

[Melbadaze]

Blue, yes good thoughts.
Perna, something you said struck me, about how you divide people, yes I think perhaps my struggle is with trying to make sense of people, I have to divide people, instead of just accepting.

I think having been my adoptive mothers sounding board I am Reluctant to take that role again, I need to feel someone is truely with me, our minds are meeting sort of thing.

[ECHOES]

Oh, I think my therapist would love a more extroverted person.
But you know, there are extroverted persons who blather on and say absolutely nothing.

I think that is one of the unique things about the therapy relationship. I don't think it can be duplicated outside of therapy. But one thing I do think, and hope, is that therapy can help me discover how to be myself more and trust others, so that I can find some deep and meaningful kinds of friendships that seem to me would be kind of like the therapy relationship.

[AkAngel]

This is an interesting question and though I may have modified it somewhat to fit my own situation, it really got me thinking.

I am a super-introvert by choice. Often things like the need for intellectual stimulation will force me out but typically I just go online where I don't actually have to be around people and there are ignore buttons.

However, I am REALLY good at appearing extroverted. The energy goes up, I get witty and charming, people gravitate toward me and I end up being the center of attention that I don't want.

What that has to do with the topic at hand is, if I have to play extrovert with my T, which to some degree I do otherwise we aren't communicating, then I stop wanting to be around him or her. By way of contrast I have shared with my wife that I can sit on a porch swing with her for an hour in silence and get up feeling like it was the best conversation I ever had. It both satisfies my introverted side as well as my need for intimate human contact.