[Hope-Full]

It is looking like I may end up with a two week break between seeing my T, which would be the longest I've ever gone. (I see T multiple times a week, so it's missing a lot of sessions.)

Does anyone have any suggestions as to things their T has done to make a lengthy break more tolerable? I'd like to bring some ideas to the table next time I see T and see what T is willing to do, so the more ideas, the better!

Journal & cry. The missing T is part of the connection.

[growlycat]

My T sends a postcard from vacation. Also, he recorded an mp3 relaxation excersize for me. Lending me books that he likes or feels speak to something in our work helps too

[harvest moon]

You can journal between sessions and give him your writings during your session so that he will read it till your next one. That way it would be as if you are talking to him between sessions, like an extra secret session! You can also ask him to lend you books that he would recommend you to read, so that you will have something to feel connected with him and think about between sessions...

[Perna]

I mark off the days, like you would with a kid when his mother goes on a business trip; on the day(s) I went to therapy I would take a handful of the large, individually wrapped lifesavers in the car, make them last me driving to therapy, 1-1/2 hours, and home, 2+ hours; they never lasted all the way home :-) I'd keep up that habit even though T wasn't there; I'd take a handful for driving to work and home. I've read with a child though; you give them a piece of "special" gum/candy the same time each day, have a calendar to mark off the days, say how many days left until mommy's home, etc. and the child can see the candy get less and less.

On the calendar idea; I've dated a piece of paper through the period my T would be away and each day made myself write a single sentence saying what the best thing I learned that day was or one word to describe my feelings, or something that happened that day, etc.

I've also started special journals for just the period of time T would be away or started and worked on self-help books while they were away or pretended I was on sabbatical or in a practicum course and studied how well I could do on my own, what it felt like, what I'd learned so far from therapy (how well it was helping me), etc.

[sconnie892]

Two weeks between sessions is normal for me, but it's not always easy.
I will sometimes write letters to t in my journal. Before my next session I read through them for things to talk about. It's definitely not the same as getting a reply from T or talking to t in person, but on some level it makes me feel like I am still connected.

[WikidPissah]

Journal every day. At your normal t times do something for you...recline by the water or in a park, get your nails done, hair done (I love having my hair washed), special coffee shop, movie with a friend, visit a animal shelter or farm.....

[WikidPissah]

another really bizarre thing I did was write T emails and send them to myself. Then I would try and answer the emails the way t would and send them back to myself. I used different colors and styles of fonts, added pictures...etc. (I am totally outing myself here)

[autotelica]

Take the money you'd normally spend on a co-pay and buy yourself a treat.

(I never do this myself but it sounds good, doesn't it?)

[unaluna]

it wasn't planned, ie I didn't know at the time I made these other appts that T would be on vaca, but I will be seeing my pdoc and my GP at the end of my T's two-week vacation. my pdoc is an hour appt and my GP is a 30-yr r/s, so that should get me thru the home stretch but like someone else said, I already made a calendar starting yesterday, and he hasn't even left yet! I am trying to lose a few lbs before my GP appt. i'm tracking exercise time and household chores, maybe wgt? Also, T offered extra sessions before he left, and we made good use of those. I do need residential therapy - preferably T's residence!

[WikidPissah]

Originally Posted by hankster

I do need residential therapy - preferably T's residence!

and again I laugh, even though I feel like crap.

On the serious end (since I am officially pc's worst hijacker) I have an app on my phone "My Fitness Pal" and it tracks calories, exercise, weight and sugar and all that stuff. I love it, because when I do well I can see it and it makes me feel good. And it is programed with a ton of food already, so there is no counting on our end.

[unaluna]

oh yeah, I just signed up for that a few days ago - now I have to remember to use it, but thanks for suggesting it!

[Hope-Full]

Wow! Thanks for all the suggestions everyone!

@Earthmomma - I do journal daily... and I have been crying daily too with the thought of two weeks. I get that missing T is a good thing and part of the relationship, but that still doesn't make it any easier!

@growly - I love that your T sends you postcard. You are so lucky!

@harvest - love the idea of asking for a book! I do journal letters to T pretty regularly and share them, but the book idea is great!

@Perna - I love the idea of a special vacation journal and treating the time like a sabbatical. Clever!

@sconnie - I can not imagine two weeks being a routine break! You are so much stronger than me!

@Wikkid - love the idea of doing something special during T time. And even more, I love the idea of emailing myself/replying the way I think T would! Glad you outed yourself on that one, I just might have to try it!

@auto - that's a really good idea - spending the copay on me. In two weeks I'd get a pretty sizable amount to play with... time to think of what to do with it!

@hankster - I wish that other apptmnts lined up with this break, but they don't. We generally do try and get extra apptmnts but scheduling is rough right now and it doesn't look like that's going to happen. I would like the idea of residential therapy at Ts also!

So helpful everyone, really appreciate all the ideas!

I am trying to get through one year + without my t around.
It is very very tough, as we are very close and are used to meeting several hours a week.
I have taken up a new hobby for when i have the wherewithall (is this the right english?) in me to do it.
I also have read many fascinating books as i read voraciously to help pass the time.
I also take lots of naps.
I have had time to watch some movies that i have wanted to see but didnt have time for.
Sometimes i make collages and drawings that i mail to T ( she is on the other side of the world from me for the past year for a family emergency)
Sometimes i just cry a lot and sink into a deep depression because i really need my t back. Some days are just unbearable.

[marphtwo]

How can you mend a broken heart?
How can you stop the rain from falling down?
How can you stop the sun shining?
What makes the world go round?