[sunrise]

Today, in therapy, I was happy. I couldn't help it. I have a date next month that my husband will be moving out by. I am thrilled! We are getting separated. This has been a long time coming and I have worked hard to get here and been through h*ll and back. And it's almost happening, and I feel like I can't keep the smile off my face. I shared that with T today. He said it is OK to come here and grin. And he smiled with me.

I really had a feeling of being taken care of today in therapy. T called our child specialist while I was there, and they conferred, professional to professional, while I heard one side of the conversation. They are working as a team to do their best for my family (and me). I just felt so taken care of. He said, you wouldn't get this in a regular divorce, what just happened (after he hung up). I know, I said. And I gave him some verbal pats and kudos.

Later I showed him two possible covers for my book and he helped me choose. He was really supportive about the book, and it felt good to share that with him. (I have never shared anything so practical, so "real," so mundane with him, from my professional life. It was OK!) When he was looking at the proofs, I went over to his couch and sat next to him, so we could look at them side by side. Later I thought, hmmmm, maybe that was kind of invasive, but honestly, I would do that to anyone. So I was just treating him like a normal person, not some special T who has special boundaries around him. That felt good too. He has told me more than once before that he is just a normal guy. After we were done with the proofs, I went back to my couch across from him. It was fine.

At the end, spontaneously, he said he'd like to show me a photo, and he got out his laptop and showed me a 15 year old photo of him and his mom and brothers and sisters. A very handsome family. And we talked about family for a while, and some other stuff going on for him. It was a session with some really nice moments.

I liked that I could share being happy with him. Usually I share sorrow or unhappiness or being stuck or frustrated, or even anger. But not joy or happiness.

If I am happy, does that mean I don't need to go to therapy anymore?

Oh my what an awesome, awesome session!!
I'm so glad you felt so taken care of and safe with your therapist.
It's really awesome he got a little personal and showed you pictures to talk about family. I like when I get a little self-disclosure from my T.
Hmm... no, I think therapy is still a must. Besides, more of those good and precious moments are to come. They may be inbetween some rough patches, but you know they can happen!

[Mouse_]

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sunrise said:



When he was looking at the proofs, I went over to his couch and sat next to him, so we could look at them side by side. Later I thought, hmmmm, maybe that was kind of invasive, but honestly, I would do that to anyone.



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I so get that. A "Real" moment. I'm pleased it was such a satisfying session.

i'm really glad that you have been feeling happy :-)
there can be more than enough unhappiness in life.
enjoy it.

[Perna]

No, being happy doesn't mean you don't need therapy anymore anymore than getting one answer correct on a test means you get an "A" :-) You have to answer all/most of the answers correctly. You're just feeling like you're going to do well in the middle of the test. Wait until the test is completely over and graded to worry about whether you need more instruction/testing/"practice"; there could still be questions up ahead that will be difficult and you'll want help with.

[sunrise]

Thanks, everyone. I am still feeling happy today. I am taking a course at the university and today was the first day. It was really good!

Thanks for the reassurance that just because I had a happy day, it doesn't mean I have to give up therapy! At least for now. Of course, I know that, but it felt weird to be in therapy and share my happiness and my feeling of accomplishment about the book. That is therapy too, but I just had not experienced that before. Nice test analogy, Perna.

Early in our session, T said to me, tell me what is going on. You seem really happy. Then he added, unless I am mistaken. (He always gives me a way to reject his interpretations.) But he was right this time. I love how he knew I was happy. I just felt in the zone and content, and that communicated itself without my saying anything.

Several times in this session, I told him I trust him to do the right thing, to know and do what will help me. I was almost nonchalant about his plan of attack. "I know you'll do what is best for me. I trust you," I said. I just felt T-R-U-S-T. Is trust an emotion?

[MissCharlotte]

Sunny,

Thanks for sharing your happy post!

No, I think it means you are happy and that positive feelings are also fair game for therapy.

It is also wonderful you are feeling so cared for. I remember once that T said that it is when we are feeling good that we can make good progress in therapy.