[Butterflies Are Free]

I am not sure if I should post this because I am not sure what everyone will think... But I feel stuck. My T went out of town last week because a family member was dying. Well, when I got home from work on Monday, I broke down and started crying hysterically(I usually see my T on Mondays). I struggled the entire evening and later that night, was woken up out of an intense dream that involved my T and this family member. I suspected that the family member had died and I just found out that I was correct - this person died on Monday. Now, this is not the first time this has happened to me(it happened right before both of my grandparents died) but I have no idea how to bring this up to my T. Also, this death is triggering issues for me that I have around a family member of my own, but I feel selfish bringing that up. I am supposed to speak to my T on the phone tomorrow and I feel like backing out. Any thoughts on this?

IMO, I would not talk about T's deceased family member or bring up the fact that you somehow sensed the passing. The fact that this is triggering for you , is what it is... but I think talking about a deceased family member of T's , let alone a few days after the fact, may be too much too soon for T. Good Luck.

[~EnlightenMe~]

Difficult question. Tell your T that some of the things happening to him are triggering you, but that you want to be respectful of him and so you are apprehensive about discussing what his loss has brought up in you. That way, your T can decide how to handle the situation. Let us know how it goes.

[CantExplain]

That's a tricky one.

[elliemay]

Indeed, that is a tricky one. I will say that in the past, I have always given my therapist space regarding these issues.

I have never regretted it at all.

That is not to say that you should tell your therapist that all is perfect, but I would respect where he is right now and let him be.

When he returns all is fair once again.

I'm sorry your upset, and I'm sorry this is coming at a time when your therapist is not there to support you. Do you have other modes of support to help?

[WePow]

My T will have stuff happen to him that I also pick up on. I am what my mom calls a "sensitive" so I tend to know things before they happen in a lot of different areas. I found out that it did freak out my T a bit when I told him what I dreamt about if it was too close to her personal stuff. He was shocked I was so accurate. But I let him know I did respect his space. So now I will bring up those things a few sessions after the dream so it does give him space. I bring them up in regards to my own needs and don't expect him to confirm anything. I found that by doing it this way, it kinda brings us closer together. It is a relationship, so we sensitives are going to pick up on things like this. It is a part of who we are. So we do have a right to bring them up in therapy. We just have to do it with grace.

[Butterflies Are Free]

Thanks - I called her this morning and said I did not need to do the phone session today. I appreciate everyone's feedback...