I managed to ask T today whether he has a policy on gifts from patients, which he said that he didn't have. So then I managed to ask whether he would accept something from me - I dabble in a particular handicraft, and am going to attend a course this summer to learn some more about it, and will probably return home with a number of objects that might be nice enough to give away. The monetary value is maybe a couple of dollars; I know that it would be illegal for him to accept anything valuable.

I was fully prepared for T to say no, but he didn't - he didn't even hesitate before saying that he'd be very happy if I wanted to give him something like that. That made me very pleased, and also surprised, because I was so sure that he would say no. If he had said no I would not have been devastated, but I think I would have been embarrassed for bringing it up. (Which begs the question: Why did I bring it up, if I thought I knew what he'd say? I'm glad I did, in any case!)

One more week of therapy before the ten-week break. I'm trying to come up with a strategy to get through it.

[musinglizzy]

Yikes, why a 10 week break? I sure hope I don't have to do that!

You should check with your therapist so their vacations don't come as unpleasant surprises to you, but from what I understand, it would be unusual for a therapist in the U.S. (I notice that you are located there) to take that kind of vacation. My T takes 8 or 9 weeks off every summer; I knew that from the start, and it's not unusual or unreasonable, though it's really hard. This summer, my holiday ends a week after T's holiday, so I get a 10-week break.

[someone321]

Wow, that's great that he agreed to accept the handicraft from you!

Oh, 10-week break is approaching... I hope that your T also can think about some ideas how to handle this time... You always can write in "Dear T" thread on PC to keep the connection, but I'm aware that it's a poor substitute :/

[AllyIsHopeful]

I'm glad you asked too! And that you were wrong. That's good he was enthusiastic about it. Do you plan on giving him the gift before the long break?
As far as coping/getting through the long break, I can't imagine how difficult and strange that would be. It would feel so weird to have something so routine come to such an abrupt stop! 10 weeks is quite some time. But...What if they are the best 10 weeks of your life!? You never know. You do always have us, of course.

Originally Posted by AllyIsHopeful

I'm glad you asked too! And that you were wrong. That's good he was enthusiastic about it. Do you plan on giving him the gift before the long break?

No, after. I'm going to make a lot of stuff at the course, and hopefully something I feel comfortable giving to T. (If not, I'll make him something when I return home, I think, because I really like the thought of giving him something that I've created.)

Originally Posted by AllyIsHopeful

As far as coping/getting through the long break, I can't imagine how difficult and strange that would be. It would feel so weird to have something so routine come to such an abrupt stop!

Yes, that's definitely part of it! But I'm working on having a different project or goal each of the weeks, that I can look forward to and that will take up some of the mental space I devote to therapy. And I try to focus on the fact that I've only been seeing this T for two years, and I managed to live for almost 40 years before that, so a few weeks should not be a problem, logically.

[musinglizzy]

Mastodon, thanks for the warning. I'm new to this! She did tell me there is a week in July she will have to move around because she will be out of town. Thank goodness it's only a week!

[Aloneandafraid]

Good luck, Mast. It sounds as if you have a really good plan of action for the Summer T Break. Although it may be difficult, I am sure you will get through it. It sounds as if you have an excellent strategy in place. Keep posting/keep the connection here.

Glad your T accepts gifts!

This is just a suggestion, but it might help to see another therapist for those 10 weeks.

I am currently seeing two therapists at the same time, and T#1 knows nothing about it. T#2 has a different therapepeutic style (more CBT and goal-oriented vs T#1's psychodynamic psychotherapy). It's been really interesting experiencing a different type of therapy. Two sessions a week is a bit much, so I'll need to figure out a long term plan eventually

Thanks, Clementine - I'm sure that could be useful but it's not an option, I'm afraid. I won't go into the boring details which have to do with Swedish holiday legislation, but I could not even in theory get to see a temporary T more than once or twice over the summer. And in any case I'll be away for five of the ten weeks, three of them in August, and that's going to be the most difficult time, I believe. We'll see.

I see my T twice a week and it works well for me... I think seeing two different Ts would be more exhausting, though. Especially if one of them is CBT, if you get homework (I've never been to a CBT T, but I know a bit of how the modality works, I think.)

How brave of youu Mast. I can only imagine the anxiety that would have caused, but now you know. Good luck with the break.

Sometimes it's nice to prove ourselves wrong. I'm glad your therapist will accept gifts. They are certainly nice to give.

It's great that you are thinking ahead on occupying your time while your Therapist is away, not many people can do that, even when what is stares us in the face. Somedays will be like diamonds and somedays will be like stones, yet you'll get through it. Good luck to you.

I enjoy reading your post and following your journey, Mast.

[CantExplain]

It takes courage to ask for something when you are sure the answer will be no. Well done!

[tametc]

[QUOTE=Mastodon;3787848Yes, that's definitely part of it! But I'm working on having a different project or goal each of the weeks, that I can look forward to and that will take up some of the mental space I devote to therapy. And I try to focus on the fact that I've only been seeing this T for two years, and I managed to live for almost 40 years before that, so a few weeks should not be a problem, logically.[/QUOTE]

I'm so glad you're here, Mast. I really like the strategy you have for taking care of yourself while away from T. Impressive! I am learning a lot from you.

[stopdog]

I am glad it went well.