[growlycat]

I just had a session today that required answering intake questions which meant touching upon some childhood neglect/abuse. I found it more destabilizing than I expected. At one point couldn't remember one of my sister's names. T explained that cortisol can inhibit memory recall. By feeling stressed cortisol floods the system. Kashi was great about it but I don't think he knew how bad off I was when I left. I almost walked into a piece of furniture when I walked into the halwa outside t's office. In the parking lot as I was driving towards the exit I put the car into park.

Does your t notice if you aren't ok to leave? Do they just invite you to wait it out in the waiting room? If they do any grounding or any other exercises with you? If so what are they? What helps you before you leave ?

[BrazenApogee]

I wish I had help before I leave. He ends things abruptly and then I'm left to deal with it alone. I don't think he understands how it affects me.

[Argonautomobile]

Kashi sounds nice. I'm sorry the intake was upsetting. My T reserves a few minutes for light chit-chat at the end, and steers the conversation there before I go. Not really sure what else he could do. Once time is up, it's up to me to utilize the tools I have to keep my **** together. Works better some weeks than others.

Why don't you and Kashi come up with a plan? Maybe let him know what the signs are that you're destabilized, and what would be helpful to stabilize you again?

[growlycat]

I did email him an hour after our session to let him know what happened. He said that we can definitely try some grounding exercises the next time things are too intense. He said he was sorry that he didn't realize that's what I am experiencing. To be fair, my first instinct is to hide this from other people.

[ruh roh]

Originally Posted by growlycat

Does your t notice if you aren't ok to leave? Do they just invite you to wait it out in the waiting room? If they do any grounding or any other exercises with you? If so what are they? What helps you before you leave ?

I'm not sure what she notices, or even what I notice, but there have been times it was clear enough that something was off and my therapist has me do some things to regain my footing. I am not very good at it, though. There's no way I would stick around past the end of my session time, so if I'm still off, I just leave like that and she says something to me on the way out about getting air or walking. I think one of the best ways to leave safely is when she changes the topic to something lighthearted that makes us both laugh--she pointed out that laughter is a great way to come back to myself in those times. It doesn't always happen that way, though.

[TrailRunner14]

Originally Posted by growlycat

I did email him an hour after our session to let him know what happened. He said that we can definitely try some grounding exercises the next time things are too intense. He said he was sorry that he didn't realize that's what I am experiencing. To be fair, my first instinct is to hide this from other people.

This happens very often with me. My counselor invites me to sit for a bit if I need to, but it feels like I'm on autopilot. No offense to him, but it's like my time is up and I need to leave.

There have been times that I felt completely fine and the next day I have no idea what we talked about or any memory of the drive home. Fragments.

I believe there is a part of me that thinks it has to hide it too. Don't understand yet and can't explain.

[Out There]

This just happened to me. I saw my main T after repairing a rupture with EMDR T and couldn't recall something. I use mindfulness breathing techniques ( the " My calm beat " app which my T recommended ) and safe place. Kashi should work with you on that hopefully , or something that works for you. Also listening to music with a gentle binaural beat can be helpful ( like the EMDR therapy album on YouTube ) . I prefer music with a beat that's close to the EMDR tones. It's not nice to feel that way - hugs Growly.