What our therapists can provide that others generally cannot . . .

She is not afraid to tell me how it is. While she tells me she cares about me, I know she doesn't love me the way my best friend and family does. Often they worry about hurting me where as T knows my strength and knows how to help me deal with whatever happens.

I tend to protect the people I care about and don't want to hurt them. Especially hubby, I know he really worries about me so I try to protect him when I am in pain. I know T doesn't need to be protected.

Having C-ptsd my family and friends have no idea how to help me when it comes to triggers. T has helped me to deal with those triggers.

I tend to be very critical of myself especially when it comes to parenting. She has been very consistent and patient in helping me realize my positive qualities and how much a great mom I am. My friends and family usually say the same things but I have an easier time hearing from somebody who has such experience of the good and bad. She has met all my children and speaks highly of them...

I think for me what a T can provide me that others can't is a way to bypass my shame. I feel like if I'm paying someone to listen, I don't owe it to them to have it all together. It allows me to explore issues that otherwise I would be too uncomfortable to approach. Then I will see T is still a human and still likes me--I didn't need so much shame in the first place.