[ladyjrnlist]

After a year in therapy, we have decided it is time to do some serious work on my past abuse issues. I was physically and emotionally abused by multiple family members.
I feel ready to finally do this, but am very scared. I never allowed myself to experience the emotions associated with the treatment I received since I was 8 years old.
We did a short empty chair session today and it was rough. I have a two-hour session Friday for more of it.
This is the brass tacks of it for me. I know once I do this, it'll be better. But, it's going to be soooo hard.
Any advice?

[doogie]

I'm still right in the middle of it all, but for me the key has been going as slow and I need to and not trying to take on too much at once. It I try to push through it too quickly, I get overwhelmed and I can't function (work, home, etc.) I have to take off small bites at a time and deal with it in small pieces so I can "do" therapy and still "do" my life. I keep wanting to push harder and faster to get through it and get it over with, but every time I do that, I end up getting overwhelmed and we have to take a session or two to kind of shore up the resources to tackle things again. If I just trust my T and move at a nice slow, even pace things are much better. Just trust your own gut instincts about how much you can handle and let you T know if it feels like too much. Good luck to you. Sorry you have to go through this at all.

Doogie

[sugahorse1]

If your T and you have a good relationship, she should be able to control the speed and direction in a way that suits you. You need to trust her and go with the process; and if you feel overwhelmed, there's no reason you can't tell her to stop and allow yourself time to regroup