[rainbow8]

Do any of you have experience doing this? I'm wondering if it's something that my T learned through her IFS or EMDR training, or is it a common practice with other orientations of therapy too?

It's amazing how the experience affected me. I felt so special and loved, even, when we had this conversation about what to do with my intense feelings at the end of the EMDR work. T wanted me to put the feelings in a container, and I said "okay, a box". She laughed and said maybe something more than a simple box. So, I said "a treasure chest." I asked "what if the feelings get out?" She said we can put air holes in it so they can breathe. Then I asked "where do I keep it?" She said "wherever you want." I said "here, in the office." She suggested the windowsill.

I think I still had my eyes closed, but I was aware of loving this "pretend, childlike playing" with my T about what the container was like, how my feelings would breathe, and where I could put it. It felt kind of like she was tucking me into bed, in a very loving way. It made me feel very satisfied.

Is that weird, or what? It seems like whatever I do in therapy gets me back to my basic need to be loved as a child.

[WikidPissah]

Not weird ... totally awesome! In 5 years of therapy (with several different people) not once have I ever felt that way...you are truly blessed!

[rainbow8]

(((((Eileen)))))

Thank you! I want you to know that this never happened to me before either. I've been in therapy about 15 years and this is my 5th T. I've never experienced this kind of therapy before. I want to soak it all up because I'm so afraid something will happen to my T. I know, irrational, but good things don't last and the world is scary to me. Even so, I am telling myself that I already have internalized the love my T has given me. Makes me close to tears.

[zooropa]

I'm struggling with this right now. My T and I talked this week about me leaving my story in her office. I just...I can't do it. I guess it takes a while to get used to. I feel like I am my story, I AM what happened to me. I talked to my T yesterday on the phone and I told her "I don't know if I exist without it".

I also have a lot of guilt at the idea that by leaving it there I am somehow harming my T and her other clients.

I'm really glad this concept made you feel cared for and satisfied, rainbow. I am going to keep working on it.

[tryingtobeme]

Rainbow, I have done this in my therapy work. It has helped me greatly. I have big problems sleeping since I can't get my mind to slow down. I do this a great deal at night time and I use a box with a lock. I really have to visualize it but it has worked for me. Good Luck.

Originally Posted by rainbow8

Do any of you have experience doing this? I'm wondering if it's something that my T learned through her IFS or EMDR training, or is it a common practice with other orientations of therapy too?

It's amazing how the experience affected me. I felt so special and loved, even, when we had this conversation about what to do with my intense feelings at the end of the EMDR work. T wanted me to put the feelings in a container, and I said "okay, a box". She laughed and said maybe something more than a simple box. So, I said "a treasure chest." I asked "what if the feelings get out?" She said we can put air holes in it so they can breathe. Then I asked "where do I keep it?" She said "wherever you want." I said "here, in the office." She suggested the windowsill.

I think I still had my eyes closed, but I was aware of loving this "pretend, childlike playing" with my T about what the container was like, how my feelings would breathe, and where I could put it. It felt kind of like she was tucking me into bed, in a very loving way. It made me feel very satisfied.

Is that weird, or what? It seems like whatever I do in therapy gets me back to my basic need to be loved as a child.

I relate to this so much Rainbow. so much.

[rainbow8]

zoo, I'm sorry you're struggling with leaving your story with your T. I hope that you'll be able to one day. For me, it's about connection to my T more than the issue. Or, that IS the issue. You're doing GREAT work in therapy.

trying, what kind of therapy does your T practice? I'm trying to find out if this concept is common, or just certain Ts learn to use it.

ghost, I'm not sure if I'm glad or sorry that you relate to it. Sorry if you're missing that love when you're still very young. Please feel free to start threads of your own so we can support YOU.

I haven't emailed T yet. I don't see her until next Wednesday and that's a long time. My feelings are doing okay in the treasure chest but I wish I could have my session sooner.

Originally Posted by rainbow8

trying, what kind of therapy does your T practice? I'm trying to find out if this concept is common, or just certain Ts learn to use it.

Rainbow,

My T uses this (I think you know that already though). One of the FIRST things we did in therapy actually, was to create a "container" (in my imagination) where I could leave my stuff. We did a lot of visualization around it.

I needed something more concrete, so I ended up painting a little box and leaving it with T. It lives on his desk with his things I like knowing it's there. I have lots of things of Ts with me, and I like him having something of mine. Like you said, it helps me feel the connection.

He is "eclectic, psychodynamic, humanistic". I'm not sure which of those (if any!) ties into the container concept, though.

I'm glad the container idea helped you

[rainbow8]

Thanks, tree. Does your T use IFS at all? I don't think you've said anything about parts, or have you? So maybe the container concept is more general.
The weird thing is that it's really not the concept that feels so good to me, but the way she talked to me. I think that may be it! Light bulb moment here. It's always the soothing, comforting I crave so much. My Mom was kind of anxious, like me. Or, LOL, I'm like her I mean. So maybe it's the soothing I missed. That's come up before for me, but I think it's clearer.

It's hard to express how that short, maybe 5 minute interaction made me feel. I will probably email T about it. Seems like everyone knows but her!

[deliquesce]

i think the box concept is pretty common. old-T mentioned he did it with certain clients, and austin-t tells me he has a box for some clients also.

both of them do CBT. old-t also did humanistic therapy, austin-t does object relations. i think they've both had clients physically write things down and leave it in the box to look at the next time they're in. i.e., more than just visual imagery.

pdoc is a pdoc () i.e., minimal therapy training, but i've given him a letter once which i know he keeps away from my file and which we're only allowed to speak about when we both have it in front of us. he keeps it with his "happy things" and tells me he does it to keep me safe. sometimes he'll open the drawer (which he keeps locked) and show me the new things he's added to his drawer, so i know he's got things in there keeping my 'stuff' company.

Originally Posted by rainbow8

Thanks, tree. Does your T use IFS at all?

No, he doesn't. But we DO talk a lot about parts, because of my dissociative issues.

[rainbow8]

Thanks, Deli . I appreciate the information. I must have just had old-fashioned Ts who never did anything like that. I'm so glad I have my T now.

Thanks, tree. I did remember you talking about parts; that's why I asked.

My has me imaginge putting it in a box and placing it on high closet shelf, way in the back. I can pull it down when I need to, but it's out of the way in a safe place in the meantime.

[rainbow8]

I emailed my T with my feelings about the session. EMDR made me feel relaxed and calm. I wanted her to know that. I especially had to tell her about the importance of the container interaction. It's such a significant thing for me, and I can't explain it here well enough. I hope T understands because I so need her to, and not minimize it as a "nice interaction." It was SO much more than that. It was MAJOR for me. Maybe it's a stupid insight; everyone wants to feel loved. IDK. It's just IT, for me. Does anyone get what I mean at all?

[seventyeight]

yeah, i totally get what you're saying. totally. it is hard to explain. did you feel you expressed/described it well in the email to her?

[rainbow8]

seventyeight, thank you! I told T what I posted here, and that it was HUGE, and not just a "nice interaction", and how that's IT for me. I hope she realized what I meant. It's so important, probably too important, for me to be understood. I know it's a personal insight, and I wish I didn't feel like I want everyone on PC to "get my stuff", but I do. I'm much too selfish in that way, gotta work on that. I have a need to share, bigtime. I should have put THOSE feelings, except they came up AFTER the session, in the container too.

[ECHOES]

rainbow, I have a relaxation/guided imagery CD that includes "Clear the Deck" where you put your concerns into a sturdy box with a lid, a box you can come back for at any time, but for now a place to put your concerns so your mind can rest. I like this imagery and it's a bit similar. It is surprising how relieving it can feel.