How to Cope with the 6 Days Between Sessions

I've been resisting exploring some painful emotions - basically ignoring and avoiding them. My T has suggested that some of my issues might be more easily resolved if I 'open the gates' to those difficult feelings.

I agree with her. I really do.

BUT, how do I cope during the week after I've opened up and until the next time I can see her? I will ask her about that but I'm wondering how any of you have managed this.

Journaling helps me.

Exactly....I can not deal with heavy emotions. I have to pretend T does not exist between sessions. The flood gates open up in session. I leave a mess and cry on the way home and then I have to use my skills I have of numbing and forgetting and every time a thought of him creeps in I have to push it away.

Mindfulness. Easily explained as when you are for example making your bed think of nothing but making the bed. Be 100% in whatever you are doing. Other thoughts will no doubt intrude but let them come and go and then get back to what you are doing, ie. gently say to yourself pay attention to making the bed.

You might also want t to contract with yourself to think about your emotions for a certain period of the day.

Does your T allow outside contact? Even if it's something like, you're able to e-mail, but the T won't respond beyond "got it" or you'll just agree to talk about it next session. If that's not allowed, then journaling is a good idea.

I havs neen trying to figure this out for years.

I have found over time that choosing to deal with the floodgates is a lot easier than avoiding it in the first place. Pema Chodron ("When Things Fall Apart") speaks to welcoming the emotions (something I've been afraid of my whole life), embracing or "leaning into" them and for me that has been really key. Sort of like having faith that you can tread water in the waves of the emotions.

I think you can do it. Have you asked your T about strategies for once you've left the room?

Perhaps in addition to talking with your therapist about how to cope in between sessions, she can also help with containment before you leave the session?

My understanding is that therapy is most effective when it occurs within the window of tolerance. One aspect of that is that it is helpful as long as you are able to manage the emotions and issues that are stirred up in therapy in the time between sessions. If you are finding that the emotions are overwhelming your capacity to cope between therapy appointments then it is time to either dial back the intensity of therapy or work on developing grounding strategies to help you stay within that window of tolerance both in and out of therapy.
Ultimately you are the one who has to live with you between session, so it is a far better thing that YOU have the skills to cope rather than your T being that landing pad for you. If that is the case then you will be on an out of control emotional roller coaster ride that is wholly dependent on having contact with your T to manage your emotional state.

It is a far far better thing for you to develop the controls before jumping on the ride.

The struggle was real.
That's all I can say.