Should I send this list to my therapist?

AnxiousGirl · Nov 02, 2015 at 08:10 PM

I promise this is the last thread for a while (sorry for so many lately, been having a very hard time in therapy). So, I had another session today and it was a bit emotional (didn't cry though) and I did hide a few things. After coming back home I needed to relax myself (I get nervous before therapy that afterwards I get very tired), and then decided to make a list of topics or thoughts that I haven't told my T about. My T and I are doing exposure therapy (we started a few weeks ago), and it's definitely bringing up a lot of feelings and worry. So, my question is, should I email her the list that I've made or should I print it out and take it to her next week. I'm asking between these two because if I email it to her, lets say tomorrow, shell have an idea about it before the next session. If I wait and give it to her next week, then she would have to read them and then we would sort of divert what we would have done to focus on the list.

What do you guys think?
Thanks!

precaryous · Nov 02, 2015 at 08:27 PM

I think you have a right to do what you want

How about taking the list in next session and read it to T? Then you can discuss it.

nervous puppy · Nov 02, 2015 at 08:29 PM

Just my opinion, because this is what works for me, but I would email it.

1. It would be done and no backing out.
2. If I wait, there's a good chance I'd chicken out on that list.

Emails keep me accountable. Good luck whatever you decide.

LonesomeTonight · Nov 02, 2015 at 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nervous puppy

Just my opinion, because this is what works for me, but I would email it.

1. It would be done and no backing out.
2. If I wait, there's a good chance I'd chicken out on that list.

Emails keep me accountable. Good luck whatever you decide.

Yep, this is what I would do, too. She may choose not to discuss it over e-mail and just talk about it in session. But sending an e-mail is good (assuming your T allows it, which I think you said she does).

AnxiousGirl · Nov 02, 2015 at 09:57 PM

Thank you ! I feel like emailing would be better but I'm way too scared

Hopefully I'll try to get it done before tonight.

Cinnamon_Stick · Nov 02, 2015 at 11:02 PM

I know I can always express myself better and say things I wouldn't say in person in an email. It might help you to email them to your T and then have the list with you and talk about it in your next session. I think emailing is helpful and important and so is talking about hard emotional subjects in person. I wish you luck.

AnxiousGirl · Nov 03, 2015 at 09:27 AM

Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to review the list one last time and hit send!

AnxiousGirl · Nov 03, 2015 at 09:53 AM

I just sent the email and im freaking out! I hate bothering my T but I thought this list would help us out a lot. Hopefully she doesnt get mad even though I've been told countless of times to email whenever I need.

Bill3 · Nov 03, 2015 at 10:02 AM

Good job AnxiousGirl! That took courage.

nervous puppy · Nov 03, 2015 at 02:15 PM

*applause*

I know my anxiety always kicks in after I hit the "send" button, but it will be OK.
It will be good to talk about your list when you see your T.

AnxiousGirl · Nov 03, 2015 at 06:07 PM

My T emailed back a few hours later and thanked me for this and reassured that it's normal to feel this way. She also told me to email anything else I may need to before our next session. At least now we are both on the same page. Thanks for all the encouragement.

LonesomeTonight · Nov 03, 2015 at 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnxiousGirl

My T emailed back a few hours later and thanked me for this and reassured that it's normal to feel this way. She also told me to email anything else I may need to before our next session. At least now we are both on the same page. Thanks for all the encouragement.

That's great! I'm glad your T is being so supportive.

skeksi · Nov 04, 2015 at 06:06 AM

It was a risk, but you were brave and you took it! What a positive step.

AnxiousGirl · Nov 04, 2015 at 07:59 PM

I wasn't able to do it without the support though ! So thank you again to everyone

CantExplain · Nov 04, 2015 at 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnxiousGirl

I wasn't able to do it without the support though !

Of course not!

Some people have this crazy idea that we can do difficult things without support and encouragement. They shouldn't be Ts.

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precaryous Inner Space Traveler Member Since May 2014 Location: on the wing of an eagle Posts: 3,880 10 8,141 hugs given	Nov 02, 2015 at 08:27 PM #2 I think you have a right to do what you want How about taking the list in next session and read it to T? Then you can discuss it.
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nervous puppy Grand Member Member Since Dec 2014 Location: somewhere west of Lake Michigan Posts: 995 9 2,393 hugs given	Nov 02, 2015 at 08:29 PM #3 Just my opinion, because this is what works for me, but I would email it. 1. It would be done and no backing out. 2. If I wait, there's a good chance I'd chicken out on that list. Emails keep me accountable. Good luck whatever you decide.
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AnxiousGirl Grand Member Member Since Jul 2014 Location: Around Posts: 862 9 580 hugs given	Nov 02, 2015 at 09:57 PM #5 Thank you ! I feel like emailing would be better but I'm way too scared Hopefully I'll try to get it done before tonight.
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Cinnamon_Stick Grand Poohbah Member Since May 2015 Location: USA Posts: 1,677 9 4,146 hugs given	Nov 02, 2015 at 11:02 PM #6 I know I can always express myself better and say things I wouldn't say in person in an email. It might help you to email them to your T and then have the list with you and talk about it in your next session. I think emailing is helpful and important and so is talking about hard emotional subjects in person. I wish you luck.
	Reply With Quote

AnxiousGirl Grand Member Member Since Jul 2014 Location: Around Posts: 862 9 580 hugs given	Nov 03, 2015 at 09:27 AM #7 Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to review the list one last time and hit send!
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AnxiousGirl Grand Member Member Since Jul 2014 Location: Around Posts: 862 9 580 hugs given	Nov 03, 2015 at 09:53 AM #8 I just sent the email and im freaking out! I hate bothering my T but I thought this list would help us out a lot. Hopefully she doesnt get mad even though I've been told countless of times to email whenever I need.
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Bill3 Legendary Member Since Mar 2009 Location: USA Posts: 10,926 15 24.1k hugs given	Nov 03, 2015 at 10:02 AM #9 Good job AnxiousGirl! That took courage.
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nervous puppy Grand Member Member Since Dec 2014 Location: somewhere west of Lake Michigan Posts: 995 9 2,393 hugs given	Nov 03, 2015 at 02:15 PM #10 applause I know my anxiety always kicks in after I hit the "send" button, but it will be OK. It will be good to talk about your list when you see your T.
	Reply With Quote

AnxiousGirl Grand Member Member Since Jul 2014 Location: Around Posts: 862 9 580 hugs given	Nov 03, 2015 at 06:07 PM #11 My T emailed back a few hours later and thanked me for this and reassured that it's normal to feel this way. She also told me to email anything else I may need to before our next session. At least now we are both on the same page. Thanks for all the encouragement.
	Reply With Quote

skeksi Magnate Member Since Apr 2008 Location: N/A Posts: 2,489 16 1,145 hugs given	Nov 04, 2015 at 06:06 AM #13 It was a risk, but you were brave and you took it! What a positive step.
	Reply With Quote

AnxiousGirl Grand Member Member Since Jul 2014 Location: Around Posts: 862 9 580 hugs given	Nov 04, 2015 at 07:59 PM #14 I wasn't able to do it without the support though ! So thank you again to everyone
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