[skycastle]

I saw this therapist for a while and thought I was done with therapy but in the last couple of weeks have been overwhelmed with anxiety especially related to sexual and relationship issues. I went in to my session today and was on high alert and tried to talk about the things but couldn't or wouldn't, felt so embarrassed and frozen, was crying, just totally lost my center. Ended up staying for twice the length of a regular appointment. It was so hard. Then later on tonight after recuperating (and a glass of wine!) I finally get up the courage to tell my partner very calmly about the experiences I couldn't even put words to in therapy today!! What is going on?! Now I'm wondering if I even need to / ought to go back... The therapist wouldn't mind either way I'm side so it is just a question now of would continued sessions even be needed or helpful. So totally weird, like I can't believe I was ever so upset because now I'm so flinch better and the thing which bothered me now seems totally normalized and not as big if a deal bc my partner was so calm and cool about it.

[Leah123]

It might be that having time and being able to express/experience/release some of that anxiety in therapy helped prepare you, subconsciously even, to speak to your partner. What do you think?

[skycastle]

I don't know, how would that work? It did feel good to feel like the therapist was interested in me and helping me talk and feel better.. But I still didn't say what I wanted to say and then went home and told everything to my partner so calmly. Maybe the truth is that I shared my emotional realty with my therapist and that gave me the strength to share the facts with my partner .. Which then resulted in positive feedback which then resulted in much less fear and shame and anxiety.. Mostly relief

[skycastle]

I still don't feel like I could tell the therapist though what I told my partner, it is very very personal

[HazelGirl]

Maybe write it down and hand it to your T?

[skycastle]

I guess I'm wondering if I need to. My partner wants us to go to couples counseling and I'm not sure what's better. I could do both but is that a conflict of interest?

[HazelGirl]

Originally Posted by skycastle

I guess I'm wondering if I need to. My partner wants us to go to couples counseling and I'm not sure what's better. I could do both but is that a conflict of interest?

Yes of course you could do both. Probably not with the same T, but because your problems are personal and not related to your relationship with your partner, couple's counseling won't solve that problem.