[REEG]

Had a very frustrating session with T- we went round and round the same issue as before. And she put out there "I'm trying to balance getting you to talk about it, but I don't want to push you too much, have you get angry and leave. And I said pretty pointedly- well, I can assure you I won't just leave, but I can't promise about the angry part.. and was able to laugh a bit. She did point out that we have been here before, and made it through. We never did figure it out in today's session. Felt like spinning wheels, unproductive work

But then I found this research article on processing the therapeutic relationship that helped a bit:

http://epublications.marquette.edu/c...ontext=edu_fac

Just thought others here might relate...

[CantExplain]

Sometimes it's a sprint and sometimes it's a hill climb, but it all gets you closer to your destination.

[BonnieJean]

Thanks for the lnk to that article, REEG. It was very helpful.

I'm still working through the article. Thank you so much for posting it! It's really interesting.

[Butterflies Are Free]

Good job on being able to talk about part of it - this must be really hard!

[sittingatwatersedge]

whooo, 33 pages! - less than halfway through, but will definitely continue to the end. Thanks so much for sharing this!

Reeg ... do you think you will be sharing this article with yr T? maybe at some future time, if you don't feel safe enough to do it now?

[REEG]

Yep, its long but readable as far as academic articles go. I will share with T
We do discuss articles some. A few years ago she gave me a meta analysis on the benefits of psycho dynamic therapy I found reassuring, and I brought in an article about integrative theory that helped me talk about things I needed to Much in there I identify with about what she does that works, and conversely helped me to see where I struggled with last T and why.

Thanks for the article, I printed it out. Let us know how it goes with T.

[REEG]

Glad others found this helpful too. I find that if I focus on theories and approaches, it helps me see the big picture and get ready to go back and work on the personal connection and my own stuff...

This is a really fascinating article. I'm only halfway through (I should be working!) but I already see how some of this has occurred in my therapy. So that's what T was doing! Thanks so much for sharing this, and I hope it helps in your own situation.

Originally Posted by TheBunnyWithin

So that's what T was doing!

I just love it when I get a-ha's like that!!!

Originally Posted by artemis-within

I just love it when I get a-ha's like that!!!

Yeah - it's reassuring to discover that there's a method to their madness ... and they just might know what they're doing after all

[pachyderm]

Originally Posted by REEG

But then I found this research article on processing the therapeutic relationship that helped a bit:

http://epublications.marquette.edu/c...ontext=edu_fac

I have trouble reading these academically-oriented things. But this stuck out for me in the beginning:

we propose that one of the mechanisms of building and repairing the therapeutic relationship is processing the relationship, which we define as direct communication about the relationship. In other words, we speculate that if therapists and clients directly address in the here and now their feelings about each other and about the inevitable problems that emerge in the therapy relationship (also called metacommunication or relational work), feelings will be expressed and accepted, problems will be resolved, the relationship will be enhanced, and clients will transfer their learning to other relationships outside of therapy

This kind of thing sets off "danger" signals to me. It would never have been allowed in my family -- would have provoked an intense and angry response. Wonder if T's take this kind of experience in to account...

[sittingatwatersedge]

Originally Posted by TheBunnyWithin

This is a really fascinating article. ...I already see how some of this has occurred in my therapy. So that's what T was doing!

Ha!
I was more like, I already see how some of this has occurred in my therapy. So that's what T wasn't doing!!

Originally Posted by sittingatwatersedge

Ha!
I was more like, I already see how some of this has occurred in my therapy. So that's what T wasn't doing!!

Yeah, there's that too!!!!

[~EnlightenMe~]

REEG,
WOW! What a timely article! Thanks so much!

[REEG]

Originally Posted by pachyderm

I have trouble reading these academically-oriented things. But this stuck out for me in the beginning:


This kind of thing sets off "danger" signals to me. It would never have been allowed in my family -- would have provoked an intense and angry response. Wonder if T's take this kind of experience in to account...

Hey Pachy- I think T's do take this into account, and it's why the relationship/ individualized treatment is so important.. good to see you, hope you are doing well