[lostmyway21]

T went away for 8 days. I missed 2 sessions. I went to my first session yesterday and and I didnt know what to say and when I did all I did was frustrate him. I went down to one email a day on my own because I just don't have anything to say to him anymore. I feel disconnected from therapy and distant from T. I wonder if this is temporary, or eventually if I'll just stop going back. I don't like feeling this way, but I don't know if it will change.

Anyone ever go through a distant period like this?

[2or3things]

I've had this experience frequently in the past, and still have it to some extent. (Over time it's lessened, however.) I think it's not especially uncommon, actually.

It really is hard, I know. But I think things will get back to normal soon. The best thing you can do--which is what everyone always says--is to talk to your T about it, no matter how difficult it feels. I've had the experience of the disconnect dragging out for months because I couldn't make myself talk about it. In my experience the difficult conversation is a far better option than the tailspin I've sometimes ended up in.

Hang in there. You can connect with your T again!

Thanks for this thread. I'm rather worried that this will happen when I see my T again in two weeks' time. It is reassuring that it is a) "normal" and b) something that can get better.

LMW21, I hope that the feeling of being distant from T will fade quickly for you.

[Sunne]

I'm really worried about this. T just got back from a 4 week vacation the other day and I have not had any replies to my emails. I know he is probably swamped, but it's unusual for him to not reply quickly.

I'm currently writing him a poem.

I hope you can get some of that closeness back with your T. I would try and bring it up? Or write it out for him? It might help.

[SoupDragon]

I'm going through this with my T at the moment. I feel so far away from him and it all feels colder and inpersonal. It feels like something has changed and T is seeing me how everyone else does, as difficult, distant and someone to be avoided.

This hasn't happened to this extent before, so I am sorry but I can't offer any insight or reassurance.

Soup

[Butterflies Are Free]

I have had this happen for me during the first session back after my T has been away. I finally figured out why I was doing it and how it was connected to my past so I said something to my T. Now I bring it up each time she returns so I don't have to feel so distant. Can you talk to your T about it? Could it be related to your past?

[critterlady]

This guy has some interesting things to say about therapists' vacation and how clients react:

http://www.afterpsychotherapy.com/vacation-breaks/

Originally Posted by critterlady

This guy has some interesting things to say about therapists' vacation and how clients react:

http://www.afterpsychotherapy.com/vacation-breaks/

Oh, this is excellent! I've seen these types of reactions on the forums over and over again, and even experienced it myself, although quitting is not an option this time around. But the withdrawing is a continuing problem for me. Very interesting to see the whole thing explained in a clear way.