Would it be weird to send my therapist a letter like this?

I'm 19 and I have GAD. This makes it REALLY hard for me to talk about my feelings in the sessions and I feel horrible about it. Like just imagine sitting in a room with a client who doesnt say a word, imagine how frustrated a therapist would be. So anyways, sometimes I feel really bad and I've decided that maybe I should just send her a long detailed email apologizing and telling her that I am really trying hard to talk and I do feel like a burden sometimes. My question is, would that be weird or would it allow her to know that I am trying and that I also feel like I could open up more? I feel like it's a mature thing to do.

Thank you !

i think she would appreciate it if you told her you have a hard time opening up and own up to that, as she could put the ball in her court so as to say. she is trained in this and hopefully understands.

I'm sure she understands. Lots of people have difficulty opening up to T's. I'm sure she'd love reading more about how you think about things. It will let her get to know you better.

I think that she understands and accepts your silences; if you go there it means that you would like to talk, it's just that sometimes it's hard; surely she understands it.
However, it think that it's a good idea to send her a similar email; not because you need to apologize, but to help yourself expressing your feelings. Do it, if you feel comfortable Let us know how it goes.

it wouldn't be weird at all. i think you should.

No need to send an email. That takes up a Ts valuable personal time, or in office treatment planning time.

If you can't speak it in next session, then write it on a note pad and tell her you want her to know you're trying. I think she already knows.

well, i dont think it needs to be a long detailed email unless you are going to tell her things you are unable to say in therapy, tell her things you wish you could say to her face. give her intros to things you wish you could talk about, what goals you would like to acheive by seeing her, what you think would make it easier for you to talk in session. i am sure she would appreciate knowing your heart is in it so she knows she is not getting nowhere by seeing you.

A weird letter would be "The smell of watermelon makes me want to make a helmet out of bacon. Why are the marshmallows screaming?" A letter discussing your struggles to express your feelings isn't weird at all though. That's actually a good step forward. You should do it.

Instead of sending an e-mail, what about writing out what you would say in the e-mail, then hand it to her at the beginning of your next session? OR could you bring yourself to read it to her?

I did this once. My T kept saying I was stuck. I'll grant that my progress was glacially slow, but I felt there were changes going on inside me. I could not get myself to say that to him when he would say I was stuck. I'd just pull further back into my shell. I wrote it all out and read it to him at a session. He changed his approach to me after that.

I'm very sure it would help her understand you better. Her response may also give you compassion and understanding.