[shakespeare47]

My therapist just left for a vacation, and won't be back until the 20th. I'll miss her while she is gone, and it made me wonder if she knows how much I appreciate her.

What ways have you found to show your appreciation?

I tell them directly when I appreciate something about their work, way of handling me, or anything else. I also tell them the opposite when I feel that way. So my answer is that I express these things in words, either in person or in writing.

Every now & again, I just say thank you at the end of the session. I always look him straight in the eye & hold my gaze as I know that he knows that I really mean it. I don't say it a lot, but when I do, his eyes well up.

[ElectricManatee]

I tell my T what I appreciate about her whenever I feel particularly moved to do so. Words and feelings are basically her life's work, so I think that a heartfelt thank you (or expression of whatever it is) probably means a lot to her. Plus it offsets all the (equally heartfelt) expressions of rage and fear I have sent her way...

[InnerPeace111]

I thank my T each time I see her.

[awkwardlyyours]

Yes, I bring her a single red rose every session.

It's not proving enough for her any more though

She's rather health conscious -- so, chocolates are out.

I'd try sky-writing but it's kinda hard to look at the sky from her office.

She did suggest that I could make furniture (she has a thing for furniture it seems) but the elevator's kinda small and I haven't been working out enough lately to lug it up three flights of stairs.

I tell her often, and I thank her every session. When I'm feeling particularly grateful and appreciative of her, I write her poems (I write a lot anyway) and give them to her. I just wrote one for her a couple weeks ago actually.

[ScarletPimpernel]

I tell her that I value her and appreciate everything she does. I always thank her after every session. When we had our transition session, I got her a bunch of small gifts and a card. And I always tell her when something is helpful.

[NeedHaldol]

I tell her after every session and when she responds to my texts and emails. Now my little nephew is seeing her and I think she gets that we think she is amazing.

[benzenering]

I am one to also thank him after every session. He is a handshaker (I'm female) so this lends itself to happen during the end of session handshake.

[1stepatatime]

I let my therapist know via email or I might verbally tell her how much I appreciate her.. but it's difficult in person depending on what I want to say. About two years ago while visiting Cape Cod I took a really picturesque photo of a lone seagull near some dunes on the beach.. I printed it and put it in a nice frame and gave it to her. I struggled before giving it to her because I didn't know if she would be receptive to a gift from a client. I left it in the kitchen area with her name on the package. She emailed me and thanked me for it, I was so happy! Another time I made her some black beans and yellow rice. She loved it! The thing is, I don't do these things all of the time, just every so often.