[JustDontAsk]

What is considered a successful T session?

I think any session where I feel we've got somewhere, made some progress, or I feel better afterwards. Some sessions don't always feel so epic or 'successful' at the time, but later on, upon reflection, they've still proven important as part of the 'bigger picture', if you know what I mean. Just my interpretation, I imagine the answer will be different for everyone? I'm not sure what my T would consider makes a session a 'success' or not...

[JustDontAsk]

Well, I went to T today, and I was so nervous for it. But I still went. I was nervous all session. But I answered all the questions, and I'm getting more comfortable with just sitting there, and we had a decent discussion...But I don't know if it is successful. I just hope in the end I will be.

Sounds pretty good to me

[stopdog]

One where I don't end up with any self inflicted broken bones after it. (I did not mean to imply the therapist is violent)

[Wren_]

That sounds successful to me

Actually given your feelings about going yesterday I would say today was a major success for you

It sounds like forward progress to me, too!

[JustDontAsk]

I can't believe I had a good day at T...

Thanks everyone.

[autotelica]

As someone who just had a successful session, I feel qualified to answer this!

Being understood and all that entails. Being listened to--not argued with, corrected, or dismissed. Not misinterpreted. Everything you want to say comes out the way you intend it to, without a bunch of extraneous explaining. Or self-doubt.

And then...

Synthesis. The therapist not only listens to what you are saying, but is able to give you insight. And not generic "phoning it in" insight, but insight indicative of someone who's well-versed on your life history and personality. You can see the cogs of your therapist's mind turning in her eyes. You know she's paying attention to you...that you are giving her new information and she's making the connections that you can't see or articulate. And she lays it out for you so that you leave with something.

And finally...

No manufactured responses or emotions. You are emotionally honest and uninhibited. You are real.

That's what happened today to me. My therapist and I were on the exact same wavelength for a change, and I've never felt more understood by anyone in my life as I do right now. I'm actually already feeling disappointed about next week's session because it can't possibly be as good as this one was.

[dailyhealing]

I think moving forward with becoming more comfortable is definitely a sign of success. That sounds like maybe you are building some trust? I hope so. The more you trust your T and can open up the better able she will be to help you. I'm very glad your session went well today JDA.

[unaluna]

autotelica put it very well. that was my monday session. I had notes, which was unusual for me, but they were more like reminders, I didn't just read them. also there were a few times where I was like, ugh, I don't really want to say this, it's kinda painful, embarrassing, uncomfortable, but technically it IS part of this story, so... and of course it turned out to be the part that tied everything together for his interpretation. I was kind of surprised at HOW he tied everything together. I thought I was just reciting, this is what happened this weekend, but he saw several layers deeper into it, and I feel like we're not quite done with it, like we just opened a door.

[JustDontAsk]

So maybe it was a partially successful day for me?

Thanks for all the posts everyone.

I hope you all are doing well.

Success!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KazzaX]

For me, coming out of the session (and for the next 6 days) if I feel emotionally violated then that means therapy has worked. Or so my T says.

[CantExplain]

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same...

-- Kipling