[rainbow8]

I've always been curious to hear what someone in real life thinks of my T. I had my evaluation with the group leader today. I stood up. She right away told me that the group is 3 hours and asked if I would I be able to sit for most of it. I said no. She said it wouldn't be appropriate and would probably stress me out more! Correct! She thought a chronic pain therapist would be better for me. Unfortunately, the only one in the system isn't taking new patients, and was too far away anyway. I never even heard of that specialty. Has anyone? I can look up to see if there are any in my area.

So, I asked if this person knew my T because she had recommended the group. She smiled and said yes. I said, she's good, isn't she? I got another big smile and the answer that T makes referrals to her. This was the first time another person validated my T. I never doubted her abilities but it was nice to hear it from someone else who knows her. I liked this group leader but I agree that sitting for even one hour would be impossible. You have to take notes in DBT though for me, it would be review.

This group leader had me sign a release because she wants to talk to my T about me.

I'm curious. Has anyone validated your feelings about your T? How did it make you feel? It was just nice to hear and see... that's all.

[velcro003]

My aunt thinks my T is good, but that is only bc of what i tell her.

Why couldn't you stand when things became uncomfortable in group?

[rainbow8]

Originally Posted by velcro003

My aunt thinks my T is good, but that is only bc of what i tell her.

Why couldn't you stand when things became uncomfortable in group?

Because I am in pain when I sit more than about 10 minutes! I'm not sure I want opiods. Extra strength Tylenol makes me weak and doesn't help so much. The worst is the Gabapentin. I take it at night and I feel spacey/mildly dizzy the whole next day. It helps somewhat with the nerve pain so I can sleep but I can't take it in the day. I tried once and almost went to the ER!

[rainbow8]

I didn't mean to write about my pain in this thread! Wanted to talk about others validating our positive feelings for our Ts.

My ex T thinks highly of my current T and referred me to her when she went on maternity leave. They're colleagues and friends.

My best friend has commented that current T has made a "world of difference" in me in our therapy work together.

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by rainbow8

Because I am in pain when I sit more than about 10 minutes! I'm not sure I want opiods. Extra strength Tylenol makes me weak and doesn't help so much. The worst is the Gabapentin. I take it at night and I feel spacey/mildly dizzy the whole next day. It helps somewhat with the nerve pain so I can sleep but I can't take it in the day. I tried once and almost went to the ER!

I think she meant to stand vs. sit?

[ruh roh]

Right--just stand up. I am in lots of meetings where people have done that because of back or other pain.

I think I may have even laid down on the floor once or twice.

You can take notes in pretty much any position if you have a portable hard surface.

[CantExplain]

I'm not convinced that Ts really know that much about each other. They know their colleagues and they know who they like, but no one knows what goes on in that room except T and the patient.

[rainbow8]

Originally Posted by ruh roh

Right--just stand up. I am in lots of meetings where people have done that because of back or other pain.

I think I may have even laid down on the floor once or twice.

You can take notes in pretty much any position if you have a portable hard surface.

I can't sit but I can't stand for 3 hours either. I do it at home but that's different. I'd be very uncomfortable. I don't feel well enough to do it anyway. I can't lie down either.

[rainbow8]

Originally Posted by CantExplain

I'm not convinced that Ts really know that much about each other. They know their colleagues and they know who they like, but no one knows what goes on in that room except T and the patient.

I agree, but for me it was nice to see and hear someone who appreciates my T.

[nottrustin]

My T is highly respected by many people. Former Pcp had worked with T for years. Pcp told me that the only person she would refer me to was T. Psych Np talked very highly of T as they share several clients. When they worked in the same area T always sent her referrals to psych np

Emdr T spoke on the phone with her a couple of times regarding me and discussed how professional and caring T appeared.

Psych Np use to work to Emdr T and they are friends. She knew we would be a great sit. From all that i told T about EMDR T as well as their conversations, she was really impressed with Emdr T.

Because I respect the abilities of all three of them it feels good to know it isn't just me.

Originally Posted by CantExplain

I'm not convinced that Ts really know that much about each other. They know their colleagues and they know who they like, but no one knows what goes on in that room except T and the patient.

Actually, someone does. The OP told us that they signed a release for the therapist and group leader to discuss them. I wonder though what sort of feedback they get from either professional.

Validating my therapist? Yes, this has happened a great deal. She came recommended by both my psychiatrist and veterans' affairs case worker.

[stopdog]

I do not believe anyone who has not hired that particular therapist to act as a therapist would know whether they were a good therapist or not. Being a not horrible colleague is not, to me, the same as being a not horrible therapist.
No one would know that I hired a therapist or who that therapist was by name. The other person I knew who also hired the woman had a different experience of her than I did. Even if I heard someone say the woman was a good therapist, it would not have any bearing on me one way or the other. For me, I would not see it as validating in any way.

[scorpiosis37]

What position are you in when you see T? Are you able to sit when you see her?

[musinglizzy]

I'm on Gabapentin too. Prescribed to take 600 mg up to 4 times a day. I hear ya on the spacey stuff...it really messes with your head!

[rainbow8]

Originally Posted by musinglizzy

I'm on Gabapentin too. Prescribed to take 600 mg up to 4 times a day. I hear ya on the spacey stuff...it really messes with your head!

I'm going off it again! I feel awful on 300 mg at night. But even Tylenol makes me weak and dizzy. The effect of the gabapentin lasts into the afternoon of the next day! I hate meds!

[rainbow8]

Originally Posted by scorpiosis37

What position are you in when you see T? Are you able to sit when you see her?

A few weeks ago I sat on her couch for almost the whole hour, but yesterday I was in a lot of pain and I didn't sit at all. I stood up, and for part of the time we walked outside by her office but I was kind of wobbly.

[annielovesbacon]

i have two friends who have seen my T. one is trans and decided to leave my T for a therapist who specializes in trans issues. she said that T is great and helped her with so much, including her gender dysphoria, but she just needed someone more specialized.

my other friend only saw her for one session. she said T was a really kind person and was a really good listener who asked the right questions, but their personalities just didn't click. my personality didn't click with T right away either but now we get along great. I wonder what would have happened if my friend had gone for a second session.

i dont personally need someone to validate my therapist. however, she is well known and hundreds and hundreds of people love her. So I guess thats nice to know.

[Anne2.0]

I know my T is good based on what it's like to T with him. In our midsize town, there are a few therapists that are the ones to see, for some people it's like a status symbol, it's a very educated and somewhat post-hippy place where people would be more likely to brag that they see a therapist than hide it.

My T is one of those, and I can tell it makes him feel validated, but for me I miss the days when he was just starting out and I could get an emergency appointment the next day. Now he's all booked up most of the time.