[Sarmas]

My t used primarily a psychodynamic approach. Since my major break all we talk about is changing my eating behavior which is fine but I feel like I'm not getting deep enough to the issues that cause me to think and behave the way I do.

I have other issues as well of which she's aware of. I told her how the ribbon in the waiting room for child abuse awareness triggers me. I have yet to see how she will react out of all of this. I'm telling her that I have issues adjusting to certain situations but it's almost like all she's focused on is getting me to eat certain foods. I told her how anxious I am at times especially about work. She never touched on that again. Today I gave her concerning information of which she looked at me and said "don't do it". She never wanted to know the reasoning behind it or if there's anything pushing me to think the way I do. I don't know. There are things that I should be discussing but due to how she's reacted about everything else I've decided not to mention anything.

My expectations are that I will see her next week and she will ask me how I'm doing with food.

I don't want to upset her. Last time she felt that I was criticizing her style. I feel like I need to go into my childhood issues and she's not letting me go there. I'm not sure why.

Giving feedback is not criticizng. I understand about feeling that way, i have those worries about coworkers.

Just from what you wrote here, it doesnt sound like psychodynamic therapy is going on. Some therapists can range towards being supportive to being exploratory.

Since you seem to think youd benefit from more exploratory therapy, you should tell her. If you are worried about being critical, why not say "i think doing x will be helpful"?

Maybe think of it as helping her help you. Keeping stuff inside can lead to anger and resentment in any relationship. It doesnt help anyone really.

Originally Posted by Sarmas

My t used primarily a psychodynamic approach. Since my major break all we talk about is changing my eating behavior which is fine but I feel like I'm not getting deep enough to the issues that cause me to think and behave the way I do.

I have other issues as well of which she's aware of. I told her how the ribbon in the waiting room for child abuse awareness triggers me. I have yet to see how she will react out of all of this. I'm telling her that I have issues adjusting to certain situations but it's almost like all she's focused on is getting me to eat certain foods. I told her how anxious I am at times especially about work. She never touched on that again. Today I gave her concerning information of which she looked at me and said "don't do it". She never wanted to know the reasoning behind it or if there's anything pushing me to think the way I do. I don't know. There are things that I should be discussing but due to how she's reacted about everything else I've decided not to mention anything.

My expectations are that I will see her next week and she will ask me how I'm doing with food.

I don't want to upset her. Last time she felt that I was criticizing her style. I feel like I need to go into my childhood issues and she's not letting me go there. I'm not sure why.

Do your eating issues (whatever they are) stem from your childhood? I know that mine do. If they do then maybe you could tell T you feel they do hence why you need to talk about your childhood issues. Talking about my childhood with my T has helped me to realise a lot of my issues stem from that

[Merecat]

It sounds like you're hinting to your T wanting her to put the pieces together and guess that there's something else you want to talk about, or for her to lead the way. The problem with that is that most Ts will work at your pace so aren't likely to push you - the idea is that when the time is right you'll be able to talk about what you need to. In many ways I prefer my T to work like that because I work at a pace I can tolerate and don't end up triggered in therapy. There could be any number of reasons why the ribbon would trigger you - colour, the cause it supports, the place that it is in the room - she can't possibly guess what specific meaning it has for you as opposed to the other people in the clinic who may struggle with it too.

If you've gone to see her about eating issues, that's what she's likely to focus on.

If you need more direction, I think you're going to need to ask for it. If you feel you need to go into you childhood, you'll need to tell her. If you're finding that hard even saying there are things you need her help to talk about and what would be helpful to you (e.g. Talking about childhood, asking about family relationships etc). It's hard but therapy is hard.

[Sarmas]

Originally Posted by SS1971

Do your eating issues (whatever they are) stem from your childhood? I know that mine do. If they do then maybe you could tell T you feel they do hence why you need to talk about your childhood issues. Talking about my childhood with my T has helped me to realise a lot of my issues stem from that

I believe it does. I've had an eating disorder along with other issues since I was a child. I feel like I would benefit if I spoke about my childhood but I never pushed because I was always waiting for her to bring up the subject.

[Sarmas]

Originally Posted by Skies

Giving feedback is not criticizng. I understand about feeling that way, i have those worries about coworkers.

Just from what you wrote here, it doesnt sound like psychodynamic therapy is going on. Some therapists can range towards being supportive to being exploratory.

Since you seem to think youd benefit from more exploratory therapy, you should tell her. If you are worried about being critical, why not say "i think doing x will be helpful"?

Maybe think of it as helping her help you. Keeping stuff inside can lead to anger and resentment in any relationship. It doesnt help anyone really.

You're right. I thought she would explore my childhood better but then she said shortly after my intake that my childhood was too involved and that exploring it would take too long. She said the details weren't important because it was in the past. I tried to explain at one time how things bother me in regards to my childhood now. I feel like I'm still carrying certain behaviors with me since then. I still have contact with my brother so to me things are still in my head.

[Sarmas]

Originally Posted by Merecat

It sounds like you're hinting to your T wanting her to put the pieces together and guess that there's something else you want to talk about, or for her to lead the way. The problem with that is that most Ts will work at your pace so aren't likely to push you - the idea is that when the time is right you'll be able to talk about what you need to. In many ways I prefer my T to work like that because I work at a pace I can tolerate and don't end up triggered in therapy. There could be any number of reasons why the ribbon would trigger you - colour, the cause it supports, the place that it is in the room - she can't possibly guess what specific meaning it has for you as opposed to the other people in the clinic who may struggle with it too.

If you've gone to see her about eating issues, that's what she's likely to focus on.

If you need more direction, I think you're going to need to ask for it. If you feel you need to go into you childhood, you'll need to tell her. If you're finding that hard even saying there are things you need her help to talk about and what would be helpful to you (e.g. Talking about childhood, asking about family relationships etc). It's hard but therapy is hard.

I usually let her lead the way. I have so much to work on that we are bound to hit something but yes lately that's what she's concentrating on. I did end up telling her that the support pet of the ribbon is what's bothering me and she said that we will discuss it next week. I guess that's my chance to open up the subject. I just have to try not to back out. I don't do very well with this subject.