[ThisWayOut]

I just moved back to my adult home after 3 years away. I'm returning to a former t, but I'm finding it really awkward. It doesn't exactly feel like I'm starting fresh with someone new, but I'm not sure how to fill her in on things. I'm not sure how to condense the 3 years into a "readers digest" version. I'm also not sure how to say certain things. It's almost like I have to learn to trust her again... it's weird. Is that normal if resuming a therapy relationship, even if it ended well?

I'm also getting the feeling that she sees me as hopeless and merely faking competency. I'm not sure if that's projection though, or if she really thinks that. I don't see her again for 2 weeks, so I can't check it out with her just yet...

I dunno. I'm not sure what I was expecting upon returning to work with her. Maybe I was picturing being more comfortable with her because I had been very comfortable working with her before I left.

[Chummy]

I think it's normal. At the beginning of this year I went back to my T after not seeing her for about 1.5 years. Even though it went very well between us the first time I was in therapy with her, it was kind of akward going back to her. It wasn't so comfortable the first few sessions. I also felt shame that I needed therapy again.

3 years is a long time. It probably takes some time to get comfortable with her again.

[ScarletPimpernel]

I saw ex-T #5 for a total of 4 years. After 3 years of weekly sessions, I was doing well enough that we started spacing out sessions: twice a month, once a month, to trying it w/o her. I think I went 3 months w/o her when she informed me she was transferring to a different city and wouldn't be able to see me. I asked her if I could go back to weekly until she left, and she agreed.

I was only away from her for a little while and the distancing of sessions wasn't an actual termination. It was just a trial period. I thought that things would be the same when I went back to weekly, but they weren't. There was this woman sitting in front of me who I recognized, loved, and trusted, but it wasn't her. She had become a stranger to me. I didn't know how to act, how to open up, and I didn't even want her to hug me. It took about a month for me to get settled again. Things never 100% went back to how they were, but it did become familiar and comfortable again.

Give it some time. You have to get to know each other again. Some things have changed while others have stayed the same. The connection that was once there should become familiar again. It's just uncomfortable for awhile.

[ThingWithFeathers]

It might just take some time for your comfort level with your old t to resume. I really do imagine it would take time to rebuild your relationship. I sincerely hope you are able to feel comfortable with your old t soon.

[iheartjacques]

Yeah, a lot changes in three years. It's going to take time to catch up on the important things and if your therapy goals have changed or not.