Welcome to the Couth that Would Not Die - Episode 37: Clean up that Cool Whip!

Fixed, Or you just type a little bit bigger to be seen, like I just demonstrated on the previous page

Hello Jersey

Hello SD.

We talked about the game. She said I would probably be disappointed if I stayed up to watch.

Ike - was it a good closure?

whats up lola

Granite..how did it go?

Yes and no. Yes it was a good session, kind of light and not real hard, but there is no closure yet. My D has an orthodontia appt in April. She will hopefully get her braces off then. I was able to get a PDOC appt on the same day. I'm having a hard time cutting the cord. Thanks for asking.

PDOC and I talked briefly about the coach today. She said "Beware the ego, it will lie to you." I'm still sitting with that.

Beware the jabborwock, my son
The jaws that bite the claws that catch
Beware the Jubjub bird and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch
(lewis carroll)

I told my T about this forum and thread before. She really does not have an opinion about it. She kinda just brushes it off.

I cannot imagine the one I see caring one way or the other
.

Yeah, I think my T really does not care. She knows I come on and read here and stuff. I think she just sees it as -Whatever floats my boat.

My T actually asks about the forum and my friends.

hi jersey

Hey...Granite..lovey....

My T has discussed that he would like me to avoid certain specific posters' threads, because I get frantic, angry, etc when I see that they are engaging in totally narcissistic or self absorbed, boundary pushing behavior, and they do not even seem embarrassed or aware of how horrible what they do is to those on the receiving end. Then when I point it out, I get lambasted. And then I sit and obsess about any tiny similarity between my thoughts and impulses and theirs meaning that I am also a boundary stomping narcissist. He says I am, if anything, overly concerned about not bumping others' boundaries and he feels it is harmful to me to read those kinds of threads, because I then re-double my efforts to avoid boundary bumping. Other than that, he and I have discussed that I feel I have found some really valuable friendships here, and how much this forum has helped me to make progress in my therapy. We have discussed maintaining my own boundaries as well.

I told my T about posting online. It wasn't a big deal, I just mentioned asking for help with something. At the beginning of it all T asked me if I'd told anyone about my struggles with her and I said I'd told one online person and she asked "did they encourage you not to come back"? Er no T, I was told I should go back.

PDOC thinks if I find value in it, there is value in it. She gets paid for this?

This is what I keep pointing out.

Ike..yesterday my T told me when I'm triggered, that it comes out in physical ways to...

And she got paid for that.... so yeah, I guess so.. lol

Alrighty, I might be a bit late but here's my take on the couch.

I also think the couch is (or can be) one of the most supportive places to be on this forum, for anyone. It's all a matter of perception as to whether someone feels welcome. At least, I've only seen welcoming comments directed towards anyone who posts here, including comments directed towards me. I "barged in" when I finally had time to keep up because I was studying by distance and I found that getting to know the regular posters did make it feel much easier to keep up with. I think the truth is that for many people it's hard to walk into a conversation with group of regulars who know each other (and this thread wouldn't really exist or be so supportive in the same way if there weren't some regulars). Other people seem to have the ability to walk into a group and be themselves straight away and I think those things translate into an online environment too. But sure, it can easily bring out insecurities.

I kept up with the psychotherapy board for quite a while before I joined (so I've read the board for a few years now), though I almost couldn't post at all for a long time. I'm pretty certain that this thread adds to the community here in a huge way. Posting a thread can be slow in waiting for responses. It's normal not to get a reply for a while. Often I'll see something and know because it's a thread that I'll go back when I have time, whereas if something is posted here I'd be more likely to offer a quick word or two if it seems like someone is really looking for help or support. To me this thread seems to really keep the community alive. It's so much easier to get to know other people in this thread too. I'm sure a few people get to know other people through PMs, but not all of us have many or any people to PM.

I'm also someone who would often rather post something here than start a whole new thread. Sometimes I probably say too much? But honestly, I think if anything, it's probably more supportive, welcoming, risk free, and friendly here than anywhere else. At least that's how I've found it to be. And that's from someone who does struggle a bit here (because I also do in real life). Anyway, that was my long way of saying it's a matter of perception, and it brings out insecurities, and it's really supportive, and it keeps the boards alive (I think).

I want cheesecake!

Hey, isn't there some special suprise that happens after you hit 3000 posts?

Mkac - very well put! I have complained sometimes that a post is just too vague for me. Hey nobody needs to know that. Some people understand it; some people like to talk like that. Others are too explicit; that's their choice and my personal judgment. But I'm not getting paid to read this stuff. I got nothing to prove. I'm not here to let somebody hurt me.

And healed the answer is ... yes!!