[DodgersMom]

Just curious on everyone's ideas on this....

[kaleidoscopeheart]

For me it has been a gradual thing. I have been going for 6-ish months and have just begun to notice slight shifts in my perceptions like how I maybe don't need to take everything so personally or maybe it's ok to let your guard down once in a while. It has made a difference in how I see things but we are still working on how I view myself. That is probably going to take more time.

[Elio]

At first, it was noticing that I wasn't actively thinking of suicide at an almost constant state, then it was suicide thoughts going from active to passive and a lot less crying. Then everything got weird and crazy as transference hit. Now it is little things, changes in persistent thoughts, having more control over the crying, starting to make some friends.

I think "working" depended on what I needed at the time.

Sometimes "working" was just having that objective other person to help me keep tabs on my stability and safety, so as long as that support and check point were there, therapy was "working" for me in that moment.

Most of the time is was just a very gradual thing. Gradually I started having some clarity about my issues. Gradually I started being able to advocate for myself in healthier ways. Gradually I started managing situations that would have previously thrown me into a downward spiral.

Eventually I found more confidence. Eventually I rejoined my life instead of isolating and self-protecting all the time. Eventually I realized I was handling the vast majority of life's stresses on my own and the usefulness of regular meetings with my therapist started to diminish because I just didn't need that kind of support anymore.

[stopdog]

It did not help for why I went. It has been not unuseful though to use it as a place to talk about my person's long illness and recent death.

[feileacan]

Originally Posted by stopdog

It has been not unuseful though ...

Sorry, but I just love the double negation in that sentence And don't get me wrong, there is no irony in that statement.

Stopdog is the master of litotes.

[DodgersMom]

Originally Posted by kaleidoscopeheart

For me it has been a gradual thing. I have been going for 6-ish months and have just begun to notice slight shifts in my perceptions like how I maybe don't need to take everything so personally or maybe it's ok to let your guard down once in a while. It has made a difference in how I see things but we are still working on how I view myself. That is probably going to take more time.

That last part sounds like me! haha..I sometimes worry I will frustrate my T to no end because I keep repeating the negative ways I see myself

Originally Posted by Elio

At first, it was noticing that I wasn't actively thinking of suicide at an almost constant state, then it was suicide thoughts going from active to passive and a lot less crying. Then everything got weird and crazy as transference hit. Now it is little things, changes in persistent thoughts, having more control over the crying, starting to make some friends.

Glad to hear you are making some friends

I have been able to make many, mamy changes in my life, my mind, my habits. I feel like a new person.

[DodgersMom]

Originally Posted by Starry_Night

I have been able to make many, mamy changes in my life, my mind, my habits. I feel like a new person.

I hope to get to that point, it is awesome to hear you have

[1stepatatime]

For me the on going theme is time, sometimes it takes me a lonnnnng time to see improvements, and therapy is no different . We've been working together for over four years now and it been one foot forward, two feet back. It's been very frustrating on many occasions and very healing on others. We are just starting to get into the really difficult stuff and in a weird way I look forward to it and at the same time I'm afraid. I guess my biggest concern is that my therapist maintain a consistent warm environment for me.

[ElectricManatee]

On a short-term scale, I can tell it's working when I generally feel better when I leave. Occasionally I feel much worse, and that's okay when it has that satisfying tough workout feeling. At the very least, I feel like it's working when I have things to think about.

On a longer-term scale, I can tell it's working when I notice my thoughts, feelings, and relationships change for the better. This is more subtle but also extremely gratifying.

[unaluna]

I used benchmarks. Like i would compare a recurring event, like a swimming date with a gf, this year to a previous time, and note the differences. Was i less nervous, more hospitable, how was the conversation? There really have been major differences, apparent to me, anyway.

[benzenering]

I am very resistant to change (which makes my counselor very, well...very unhappy). I think therapy is working, albeit slowly. I've been seeing him for eight months.

[DodgersMom]

I am seeing a pattern of slowly so that's good then. I think I put unrealistic time frames on myself and it causes me more anxiety and frustration.

I've noticed that (well I've only had 7 sessions so far) that I tend to really think about things in a reflective way more, I am more at ease with calling/emailing (not asking every time If I bother him) so small things I guess....plus I like going. I actually look forward to it

[InnerPeace111]

It's my gut feeling that it's working. It's a slow process. I notice small changes in myself from time to time. I keep a journal. Sometimes I read past entries and I see how far I've come.

[Swimmersusan]

Hi, I'm a newbie here, first post, although I have been reading these boards for a long time now. I've been in therapy for about 6mths, finding it really hard but rewarding at the same time. I suppose it's never going to be a fast fix, but I do think slowly I am becoming more confident in my own ability to handle what life throws at me, and I'm putting that down to 6 months with a great encouraging therapist.

[DodgersMom]

Originally Posted by Swimmersusan

Hi, I'm a newbie here, first post, although I have been reading these boards for a long time now. I've been in therapy for about 6mths, finding it really hard but rewarding at the same time. I suppose it's never going to be a fast fix, but I do think slowly I am becoming more confident in my own ability to handle what life throws at me, and I'm putting that down to 6 months with a great encouraging therapist.

Thanks for choosing this as your first post

I for sure feel like its gonna be a long road ahead, slowly but surely.. then again we on average only get 50 min to a hour a week with them.