[rainbow8]

I'm sorry for still another thread, but they are all totally different topics and questions I have. When I walked in today, T told me that a lot of (maybe 10) people have complimented her on the card I gave her, the painting of the mountains and lake from my vacation. It's sitting on a shelf where everyone can see it, still unframed. She wants to frame it. T told me that if I paint more of that scene, I can probably sell them!

She asked how I feel about her replacing the collage I gave her, with this painting. I said I wasn't sure, but told her I feel weird that she has so many things of mine on display, and I if were another client, I'd be jealous and hurt. She didn't say anything, so maybe others don't care, or she doesn't tell them a client did them.

It's also interesting that she said that not all her clients even know that SHE paints, and that she did the large painting in the room! I'm beginning to realize that the way I do therapy is a whole lot different from the way others do it. I need to have the relationship with her the way it is--knowing a lot about her, and sharing our interest in art. It shows what my issues are.

So, I felt really, really good that people like my painting!! My T was happy to tell me that, too. I notice how she doesn't show any jealousy because she can't draw like I can, and paints abstract art, not realistic, like I do. She's told me that she admires my ability to draw, that she can't.

I suppose this is related to her being a "regular person". She doesn't want me to compare myself to her, or to others, and wants me to realize my own worth.

It was quite a session, with a lot to think about. I want to start painting those scenes!!

[sunrise]

Originally Posted by rainbow8

I'm beginning to realize that the way I do therapy is a whole lot different from the way others do it.

That statement reminds me of one of the first sessions with my T (he was my second T), and he said "you've done therapy before?" And I said yes, and then shortly after I said, "but I don't know how to do it" or something like that. I worried he would think I would know what to do just because I'd been in therapy a year with someone else, and I would miss out on his telling me how to do it. Well, he didn't tell me how to do it, and I think I have realized that everyone does it differently. Just look at the diversity of experiences in this forum. The therapy is co-created by the client and therapist and each one is unique. Rainbow, your therapy is certainly not like mine, and yet mine is not like other people's here. Probably we all can say the same. I really like that diversity--one of the coolest things about therapy, I think. I do know that my therapy with my current therapist is completely different than mine was with my first therapist. Every therapy will be unique and I love that!

That's very cool about your painting...

[rainbow8]

Originally Posted by sunrise

That statement reminds me of one of the first sessions with my T (he was my second T), and he said "you've done therapy before?" And I said yes, and then shortly after I said, "but I don't know how to do it" or something like that. I worried he would think I would know what to do just because I'd been in therapy a year with someone else, and I would miss out on his telling me how to do it. Well, he didn't tell me how to do it, and I think I have realized that everyone does it differently. Just look at the diversity of experiences in this forum. The therapy is co-created by the client and therapist and each one is unique. Rainbow, your therapy is certainly not like mine, and yet mine is not like other people's here. Probably we all can say the same. I really like that diversity--one of the coolest things about therapy, I think. I do know that my therapy with my current therapist is completely different than mine was with my first therapist. Every therapy will be unique and I love that!

That's very cool about your painting...

Thanks, sunrise. You're right that each therapy is unique. I've seen 5 Ts and each time it's been different. I've always had my pattern but the Ts have worked with me differently, and I've had different relationships with each one. No other T would have displayed my artwork! Art is very important in my current therapy. I've also learned from my T that a camera can be like a paintbrush. That's REALLY cool!

[tinyrabbit]

Originally Posted by rainbow8

I'm beginning to realize that the way I do therapy is a whole lot different from the way others do it.

I think that's a good thing as it means you're making your therapy what you need it to be. When I started going I kept asking how I was "supposed" to do it, what was "meant" to happen, and my T never answered. It made me so mad at him at the time. But now I realise it's a good thing, as I just did what I needed and never got caught up in how it was "supposed" to go.