[d.rose]

It can be anything said in general, or directed to you.

[bolair811]

Hard to pick just one thing, but the thing that sticks out in my mind the most is something my T said in the last session. We've been talking a lot recently about my fears of becoming too dependent and needy and that it would cause him to abandon me like my previous T. He has been so understanding and has reassured me countless times, but in the last session, at the end, he looked at me and simply said in his compassionate way "you're not too much." Those 4 words washed over me, and I finally didn't feel afraid of his possible abandonment anymore.

[atisketatasket]

They often say things they obviously intend to be inspirational - e.g., "You're a strong woman, ATAT" - but which are too cookie cutter to be of any use at all.

[stopdog]

They say things that are odd and that I think they intend to be positive, but I have never found a therapist to be inspirational. I am not all that into finding most others inspirational as a general rule and therapists are not who I would look to for inspiration even it it was something I wanted.

I've shared this before but I'll share it again here! I often say this to myself in my head when I need to hear it. I had just told her I wish she could wave a magic wand and fix me already and she replied: "Art, you are not broken..."

[ejayy78]

My therapist lists my positive attributes when all I can see is negativity. It's always powerful that she can cut through all the negative crap I've spilled into the room with care and support by reminding me that I'm so much more than my past. It's inspirational because I become inspired to start looking at my life through a different perspective. It's a hard lesson, but I'm learning that my past doesn't define me. It's not my whole life and it certainly doesn't confirm my future.

[Walking Man]

I was telling my T how I had done various things to try to improve myself. Part of this was that I didn't think I was good enough. She kept saying to me quietly, "Walking Man, you are enough."

[Cinnamon_Stick]

My T has said so much that has been inspirational, here are some of my favorites:

You are strong
You are not your past
You are safe here with me
I am here for you
You are not alone
I care very deeply about you
I enjoy working with you
I learn from you and I like it when you challenge me
You are struggling, that does not make you a bad person

[justdesserts]

My therapist tells me often that he wishes I could see myself the way he sees me.

"Just because you feel bad, doesn't mean you are bad."

[growlycat]

Long term T said that he could not be replaced as a person but that his role in my life CAN be replaced

(I have always been afraid that another person or T could never love me and help me as he has. I talk to longterm T very infrequently now that he doesn't take insurance. He gave me a good number of years though and brought me to a better place)

[seoultous]

Originally Posted by justdesserts

My therapist tells me often that he wishes I could see myself the way he sees me.

That's what my therapist says!

[divine1966]

1.
"It is a waste of time trying to figure out why other people do what they do. We may never get the answer. We can only control what WE do".

I repeat it often on PC. It was an eye opening to me. There is no point figuring out other people's intentions, only our own

2. "Don't let this stop you from enjoying your life". In regards to me dwelling on something. It really helps. She often mentions "enjoying life" concept

3. "It won't kill you, you know, right? " in regards to me being anxious over mundane things like opening bank statement or bills. I actually started opening my bank statements after she said that and I didn't open them for about 6 months prior ( only had general idea of what I had in there)


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[IrisBloom]

It's been many years since I was in therapy, but two things from two different Ts really helped me a lot thru the years.

My first T: When I was about 6 months into treatment, when I said I don't see any difference yet, said, "You don't ARRIVE, it's a long slow process to get better". That has helped me many times when I have felt impatient with myself and wanted to hurry up and get better.

Last T: My husband, who was semi-abusive to me and dismissive of my feelings, but I loved him very much, just up and left me and our son one day. I remember telling my T that what hurt me most was the idea of him getting with someone else and treating her the way I wanted him to treat me. She said "That's not going to happen. He will never treat any woman differently than he treated you." That really helped me to process the separation and go on to divorce and do what I needed to do.

[WrkNPrgress]

I can't think of anything specific.
She wrote something down for me once, in my journal, "Trust myself"
Another time she wrote, "I have a right to live in a non-judgemental environment."

[precaryous]

There have been numerous occasions PrevT and T have been inspirational. But here is a recent example:

I told PrevT i am anxious about T's (support), how I can call anytime- email anytime, how T always say how good and natural I am, how T kinda fill a maternal role for me...

I told her, I'm afraid I have let my guard down. And I'm afraid I like it too much...

PrevT supported T saying something like,
"You say this helps your anxiety, (T) says she can handle it and it's ok, all of your feelings are ok-
So, who is it 'too much' for?"

<blink> <blink>

She's good.

[divine1966]

Originally Posted by IrisBloom

It's been many years since I was in therapy, but two things from two different Ts really helped me a lot thru the years.

My first T: When I was about 6 months into treatment, when I said I don't see any difference yet, said, "You don't ARRIVE, it's a long slow process to get better". That has helped me many times when I have felt impatient with myself and wanted to hurry up and get better.

Last T: My husband, who was semi-abusive to me and dismissive of my feelings, but I loved him very much, just up and left me and our son one day. I remember telling my T that what hurt me most was the idea of him getting with someone else and treating her the way I wanted him to treat me. She said "That's not going to happen. He will never treat any woman differently than he treated you." That really helped me to process the separation and go on to divorce and do what I needed to do.

My t said the same thing! " if he is s bad partner to you, he is just the same to everyone else before and after you." That made sense and was helpful for me too! Hugs

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[ladyrevan21]

Telling me that just because I had anxious thoughts and worries (they're...I guess something like intrusive, unwanted thoughts. That's the best way to describe them) didn't mean I was a bad person. Considering I was in a bad place for two years because these thoughts got really bad, that meant a lot. And telling me that at the end of the day, I was a good person. And saying in the end, it's our actions that define us. (Let's say I needed it. I've had...worries time and time again that I'm a bad person, or turning into one) And giving me ideas as to how to cope with my bad thoughts.

[rainbow8]

These don't sound too inspirational but they were, for me:

T talking about herself when I was deeply involved in my obsession for her: "I'm just a regular person."

When she said "Your homework is to plan the trip!" If I had waited, my husband and I wouldn't have been able to go. It was stressful to plan it, but I am so very glad I did.

When I said I was pretending to be an artist, she said " You ARE an artist" and you WILL have a show and I will come and see it."