Feeling weird about my therapist going on vacation

It's been a strange couple weeks. Two weeks ago after my appointment I was thinking I wasn't sure I wanted to go back to this counselor. I had been feeling worse after our visits and it didn't seem like a good thing. I talked to my sister in law about it and she felt like it was because we were getting somewhere I didn't want to get to.

So I gave it one more chance. I actually had sent him an email with a journal entry with some deep stuff in it and when I went in this week we had a really good session. I cried most of the time and shared some of the deepest stuff with him.

On our way out I caught a look in his eyes and thought. . .wow he has pretty eyes. That freaked me out too I was like. . .dang do I have some sort of weird crush on my counselor? It came to me this morning that he has the same eyes as my Dad does. (and I adored my Dad)

So that was good I didn't want to have to switch counselors.

But here's the thing. . . he's going on vacation next week and I'm feeling all weird about it. I really want to go see him and pick up where we left off. I'm worried that if I miss a week I may lose my "place" on what we were working on.

I also email him with questions once in awhile if I get confused about something I'm thinking about and he's good about replying but he let me know he won't be on email next week.

My husband is also going out of town over the weekend so maybe that's why it's harder. I haven't been away from hubby in 4 years.

OK so the question is: is it weird that I'm feeling a little funny about having to miss an appointment? Does it show a good thing that I'm feeling attached or is it a sign of a problem?

Thanks,

It's a good thing to be attached to your therapist. In a way it will help you to grow and help you to understand what a healthy relationship is really like. I know how you feel about your therapist being gone for a week. I went a whole month without therapy because my therapist was gone for that long. It was hard but you can do it! Have faith and always remember to be thankful for what you have. Keep busy and yet at the same time don't over do yourself. LOL! I hope you have a good week and you are very productive. *hugs*

If he hasn't left yet maybe there is something he can give you for "homework" while he is gone.

When SKR found out that I had a problem with her going out of town, on vacation and in general not being available to me if something should happen she started photocopying workbooks and so on for me to do when she was gone. The time passed so quickly and I didn't miss her so much because I was always donig therapy work even though she was not available right then. Our doing this not only helped pass the time but it also brought our therapy time into my personal life which is what therapy is supposed to do anyway - the client using what they learn in their therapy sessions outside their therapy sessions to solve their own problems and make their life outside the therapy room better.

Even today now that I am with a different therapist I am always doing therapy homework of making up my own therapy projects and carrying over my therapy sessions into my home life for exaple my therapist and I during sessions do relaxation visualizations (otherwise known as hypnotic techniques) when we do them we record them so that I can do them here at home.

If your therapist is already gone you can still work on some therapy work while he is gone to make the time go faster and less hard on you. Think about your last session. pick a question that he asked you and challenge yourself to answer that question with details that you did not give during the session by way of journalling, artwork such as painting, drawing, create a diarama or scale model and so on.

I use to do a little journal when my therapist went on vacation, specifically for that period of time (used the tiny "blue books" you get at college to do exams in: http://www.instaoffice.com/Examinati...A77512.0.7.htm ) and mailed them to her. Made me feel like I was doing something "useful" while she was away and helped me keep my place, as you put it.

That's hard with your husband going away too. I've had that happen. Especially important to think/write about what you're thinking, feeling, working on while all that's happening so you can share it with your T when he gets back.

IMO (and most proffs) a certain amount of attachment helps with the therapy process. Hope you can manage it well while the absences (((hugs)))

Thanks guys that makes me feel better.

I was feeling like I was just going to have to put all those thoughts away and it makes sense to just journal it instead.

I emailed him this morning with a question but I guess he didn't check email today so I'll have to wait until he gets back.

I asked someone on allexperts and got the answer I needed so that was cool.

I'm just going to focus on my kids having a fun weekend, and then next week we'll have the kids home most of the time too because of the holiday so I won't have time to get too deep in my thoughts.

Take care.

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won't have time to get too deep in my thoughts.

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Yes, I can never do this outside the therapy session! Good idea!

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_Sky said:
Yes, I can never do this outside the therapy session! Good idea!

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I do it then I freak myself out. Right now I keep trying to diagnose myself with stuff I read and I think that is a dangerous thing considering I have no training!

I go back and forth between thinking "I'm OK, it's just anxiety" and "I have all these problems and it's going to take FOREVER to feel better."

I've had years of counseling but then every time I think I have things worked out I go a couple years and have to start over. Hopefully this guy will actually help me make some real progress if I lett him.

Aww! that is wonderful! I am so so so so so so so happy it is working out for you! Sounds like you have a great T! I never really took a look at my Pdocs eyes but some of them I did. I think people admire people who are so sweet and caring, which your T is. On PC and others sites I have seen things about people being so happy with their Ts, Pdocs and other specialists they sort of think they have a crush on them or over like them.

Yes he really is. He thanked me the other day for sharing so much, and I thanked him for being so nice.