[suzzie]

just wondering. what does your t do when you are clearly distressed in t.

[ECHOES]

She acknowledges it in a kind and accepting way and we can see if we can look at what it's about, even if it seems apparent. We talk more about what I'm feeling, what brought it up in what we were talking about, so we can understand where it comes from.
I used to wish she would comfort me with soothing words or a hug.

How about you, suzie? What does your therapist do? Do you wish your therapist would do something else?

[dizgirl2011]

My Therapist doesn't physically do anything except maintain eye contact so that when I look up shes still there engaged with me. She allows silence to happen and sometimes will state her understanding of how I feel and ask if that is correct. Or she might ask me what am I thinking about that is making me upset.

I often wish she would get up and come and give me a hug or hold me but she doesn't.

What does your T do when you are distressed in a session suzzie?

xxxx

It depends on how distressed I am. Most of the time it would be simple crying, and he helps me explore whatever is going on at the moment. On occasion I have become relatively unglued which is another animal altogether. In those occasions, he sits with me while I pull myself back together, not pushing talking as that isn't going to help me calm down at those times. If I'm dissociating, he works to help me ground myself and stay present. I guess in all cases he's very patient and calming.

[BlessedRhiannon]

Like farmergirl, it depends on how distressed I am.

If I'm crying, she remains present with me and when the crying has passed, she helps me to talk about it in a calm and accepting manner and we explore what brought the emotions up.

If I'm dissociating, she helps me to stay grounded and present by talking to me about "present" things and helping me to remember some grounding skills.

If I'm having an anxiety attack, she used to talk me through breathing exercises, but now, she asks me if I can give myself a moment and just breathe. Usually I can and she just sits patiently and waits. If I can't, then she talks me through it like she used to do.

In all cases, my T has remained sitting in the chair across from me, and just lets me experience whatever it is that I'm feeling.

[suzzie]

thank you so much! my t seems to do similar things. she did move closer. and tried asking questions about the collage. but stopped and moved back. it just really scared me as its never happened before. it was because of the collage. i just snapped when she looked at. and now i go again on monday and am scared it will happen again. it wasnt finished and she asked me to bring it again. i emailed to ask if i could not bring it this time. she said it would be ok but its what we are working on. so feel like i should bring it or i am slowing things down. but i am sure i will react again. i think after reading your replys that my t did do the right things. i wouldnt want her to touch me in any way or come closer. altho she did move closer for a minute. guess im just not over what happened. thank you!

[lokeluche]

Originally Posted by BlessedRhiannon

Like farmergirl, it depends on how distressed I am.

If I'm crying, she remains present with me and when the crying has passed, she helps me to talk about it in a calm and accepting manner and we explore what brought the emotions up.

If I'm dissociating, she helps me to stay grounded and present by talking to me about "present" things and helping me to remember some grounding skills.

If I'm having an anxiety attack, she used to talk me through breathing exercises, but now, she asks me if I can give myself a moment and just breathe. Usually I can and she just sits patiently and waits. If I can't, then she talks me through it like she used to do.

In all cases, my T has remained sitting in the chair across from me, and just lets me experience whatever it is that I'm feeling.

You guys are lucky..i suffer from chronic panic attacks amd the psy i saw was not like tjat at all

I felt like a cucumber !!!

It depends on what's going on. Most of the time she will at least hold my hand. Sometimes she'll hug me or sit by me. If I'm having a flash back she will try to help me get out of it by talking to me. Sometimes if she senses there is a need for it, she'll just hold me and comfort me in silence for a bit.

[Elli-Beth]

When I've been at my worst, he's talked me through it and back into a calm state and he let's me sit for a bit after the session until I feel stable enough to drive home. If it's more mild, he just lets me experience it so I can slowly learn that I can handle it.

[PTSDlovemycats]

It all varies on the severity of the situation. She has let me sit and experience it, she has hugged me, she has also driven me to the hospital and admitted me to the psych ward herself. All depends on the situation...

[qwerty000]

Originally Posted by dizgirl2011

My Therapist doesn't physically do anything except maintain eye contact so that when I look up shes still there engaged with me. She allows silence to happen and sometimes will state her understanding of how I feel and ask if that is correct. Or she might ask me what am I thinking about that is making me upset.

I often wish she would get up and come and give me a hug or hold me but she doesn't.

Same here, on both counts.

[rainbow_rose]

Originally Posted by dizgirl2011

My Therapist doesn't physically do anything except maintain eye contact so that when I look up shes still there engaged with me. She allows silence to happen and sometimes will state her understanding of how I feel and ask if that is correct. Or she might ask me what am I thinking about that is making me upset.

Same here.

I often wish she would get up and come and give me a hug or hold me but she doesn't.

I often have the same wish.

[Sannah]

Originally Posted by suzzie

it was because of the collage. i just snapped when she looked at.

and now i go again on monday and am scared it will happen again.

it wasnt finished and she asked me to bring it again. i emailed to ask if i could not bring it this time. she said it would be ok but its what we are working on. so feel like i should bring it or i am slowing things down.

but i am sure i will react again.

Have you had your session yet? What have you decided to do?

[sittingatwatersedge]

Originally Posted by suzzie

just wondering. what does your t do when you are clearly distressed in t.

sometimes she just lets it happen. Sometimes (maybe if it's looking to be big enough to cause dissocation or something) she will say, very quietly, you are OK. Just take your time.

[suzzie]

sorry just checked this thread. i did take the collage in. she didnt ask about it until near the end of the session. i didnt mind. i actually thought maybe she wouldnt ask at all. i did react but not as bad as the first time. and she didnt push it as much this time which helped. i know she really wants to discuss it and i want nothing to do with it. maybe ill somehow get through it. its still not done. is half done now thou. its so hard because of the subject it is about. thank you for the replies.

[Sannah]

Good work Suzzie! Can you see how you moved forward a bit on this?