[Cinnamon_Stick]

Has your T ever made a recording for you? What did it say? Did it cause you to become more dependent on them?

My t and i have been in different countries for 3/4 of the time we have known each other and its hard. We have made recordable story books together when we were together, made some silly photos and videos of us together (like when we went bike riding together), and T also has made me several you tube videos so i can see her face.
It helps, a little.
Its not the same as her being around, shes rarely here in my country, so theres no chance i can get dependent on her.

[growlycat]

My long term T made a progressive muscle relaxation mp3 for me. It has been helpful to keep a sense of his caring , and to not forget that.

[Cinnamon_Stick]

Originally Posted by Starry_Night

My t and i have been in different countries for 3/4 of the time we have known each other and its hard. We have made recordable story books together when we were together, made some silly photos and videos of us together (like when we went bike riding together), and T also has made me several you tube videos so i can see her face.
It helps, a little.
Its not the same as her being around, shes rarely here in my country, so theres no chance i can get dependent on her.

How do you accept that you will never see her again?

[just2b]

Ex t made a muscle relaxation cd but I never listened to it until she left the practice then I realized the 1st one on the cd was her and it did not record. You hear a bell ring then the cd skips to 2nd recording, she made with other therapists when I was in dbt.

Current T never recorded anything as of yet, but gave us a blanket a very soft cuddly blanket that parts can't sleep without. It has her perfume in it too. Before she went on vacation she presented to us and wrapped it around us and said this is so you can feel comfort and feel as though your being hugged, and then said starting with this hug and hugged us. It was so nice and thoughtful of her. Some parts love the blanket and some do not. I think parts are dependent on comfort but not T.

[brillskep]

My therapist promised to do a relaxation exercise with me and record it two years ago, but he never did, even though I have reminded him. It would be nice if he actually did it.

I wish my T would do something like that. I don't think he would, but it would be nice to have; I phone his answering machine sometimes but he speaks another language in that message so his voice is a bit different.

I don't think it would necessarily increase feelings of dependence to have a recording. On the contrary it might be a way to keep T "real" and lessen the anxiety around the breaks between sessions, and that might make you think less about them - perhaps.

[Cinnamon_Stick]

I don't think it would necessarily increase feelings of dependence to have a recording. On the contrary it might be a way to keep T "real" and lessen the anxiety around the breaks between sessions, and that might make you think less about them - perhaps.[/QUOTE]

I totally agree with you. One of my biggest issues is that I have so much anxiety during my session breaks and I have a hard time feeling any connection to her when I am not in session.

I have asked my T to make a recording of comforting things for me. I am just waiting for her to make it. I wanted to get other peoples opinions.

[growlycat]

Originally Posted by brillskep

My therapist promised to do a relaxation exercise with me and record it two years ago, but he never did, even though I have reminded him. It would be nice if he actually did it.

I hope you can still ask your T again. It's good to practice asking for what you need. But it is hard!!!

[tinyrabbit]

Yes! I have two recordings of my T free-associating and saying supportive things. They're really comforting.

A recording is one of the very, very few things I asked for in therapy with the awful therapist (in fact I cannot think of anything else I asked for or expected outside of him not abandoning me. HA!) and he said absolutely not. He said it would foster dependence on him and he thought it was a very bad idea. I don't think it would have for me, but whatever. He said no and there was no reasoning or rational discussion with him over it.

[musinglizzy]

My T is big into meditation, and had me download some free apps with guided meditation sessions on them. If I could ask for anything from my T, I would ask for a meditation recording from her. I asked her once if she ever considered doing that, I told her I would be the first one in line to buy one. I love my T's voice. And I would absolutely love to have something like this from her. But she would probably think it would foster dependence also.

[Cinnamon_Stick]

Surprisingly my T suggested doing a recording for me. She asked me to let her know what I would like to hear. I can't tell you how much it has helped me. I love her voice and I love how she says certain things. Now I can listen to her say what I need without having to bother her.

[musinglizzy]

Originally Posted by Cinnamon_Stick

Surprisingly my T suggested doing a recording for me. She asked me to let her know what I would like to hear. I can't tell you how much it has helped me. I love her voice and I love how she says certain things. Now I can listen to her say what I need without having to bother her.

I'm curious what kind of things she said for you? I think it's really sweet that your T did this for you. I'm quite sure my T wouldn't think it useful, therefore wouldn't do it. I know I'm putting words in her mouth, but I really think she would think it would create some dependency with her.

Although she did give me some plants she dug up in her yard. They are now growing in my yard, and I feel a bit of a connection with that.

[Cinnamon_Stick]

Originally Posted by musinglizzy

I'm curious what kind of things she said for you? I think it's really sweet that your T did this for you. I'm quite sure my T wouldn't think it useful, therefore wouldn't do it. I know I'm putting words in her mouth, but I really think she would think it would create some dependency with her.

Although she did give me some plants she dug up in her yard. They are now growing in my yard, and I feel a bit of a connection with that.

She said she would always be there (I need to ask what she really means by this but I am certain she would not say it to harm me), she has love for me, I am strong, I matter in this world and to her, She cares a lot about me, she carries me in her heart, if i am lonely, know that she is with me, I am important, She doesn't want me to be hurt, she wants me to be safe.

It has helped me so much. She always says all of that stuff but to have it on a recording that I can listen to whenever I want is so powerful. I was having a hard time feeling a connection to her when we are not in session. I no longer have that problem.

[musinglizzy]

Wow! That's amazing!!

[Cinnamon_Stick]

Originally Posted by musinglizzy

Wow! That's amazing!!

Thank you I hope you at least ask your T to do one for you. I never thought it would be as powerful as it is.

[precaryous]

My PrevT made an audio cassette recording for me years ago. She talks about my strengths..our relationship..how I can always carry a piece of her with me...that she will miss me...i treasure it.

[Cinnamon_Stick]

Originally Posted by precaryous

My PrevT made an audio cassette recording for me years ago. She talks about my strengths..our relationship..how I can always carry a piece of her with me...that she will miss me...i treasure it.

That must be nice for you to listen to since you no longer see her