18-MAR Session: Homework

Termination Session 2: Homework

When pressed, T gave me three items of homework. But she doesn’t like to give homework, let alone structured exercises, because that feeds into my “good boy/bad boy” complex.

Me: But I feel like that whether you encourage me or not.
T: I know.

So the exercises are:
1. Don’t rush to judgement.
2. Listen to my stomach.
3. Try to find a boy between “good boy” and “bad boy”.

What am I supposed to do with that?! I need more guidance.

Thinks: Therapy must at least start with the way the patient actually thinks.

I wonder about practicing labeling without assigning judgement.
Lets say (in an extreme example) you yelled at someone, cursed at them, and tossed a chair. Instead of saying "this was bad" or "I was a 'brat'" which are both judgements practice sticking to the facts.
I said curse words that I didnt like. I threw a chair, I wish I didnt. Etc. labeling them emotionally increases emotional dysregulation so just state the observable facts. This may help see that we are not good or bad...

I'll think about that.

Ah yes, this feels like familiar territory to me, sounds a bit like working with your Shadow. Identifying and accepting your shadow as a part of you. This is of course from the Jungian side of things..... I've done a good bit of shadow work with my T and on my own, quite interesting and not at all easy at the same time. Best wishes to you as you continue your path.

I'm starting to think she was teasing me the whole time...