Maybe it's because I'm in a good mood this morning and am looking for some positive energy and reassurance!

What's the nicest thing your therapist has ever said to you?
Or your best memory of him/her/them?

(I'm trying to get to a place where I can really focus on the positives in my therapy experience instead of obsessing over the negative parts that leave me feeling sad)

For me, some of the nicest things my T said were in relation to a big project I'm working on. She always said she'd be the first one standing in the crowd cheering me on when (big project) is complete. She also said she'd do the same if/when I got my graduate degree.

Once, I received a very positive e-mail about (big project) while in session, and I saw the e-mail while in the lobby walking out. I e-mailed my T about it, and she responded right away just saying "Holy ****!!" Then she e-mailed me again several hours later saying congratulations and how proud she was.

I also loved telling her funny stories that made her cover her mouth because she was trying not to laugh (You don't have to be a blank slate all the time--I'm funny, just laugh!)

And once she said, "You're adorable," which I loved, of course.

[katydid777]

I had my very first session with my new T this last Wed. and she shed some tears during my session, and after she gave me a big hug. After that 1 session, I new she would be the T that would help me find my self, and learn the things I need to, to deal with my many issues!!!

recently she said "That's what I love about you - you DO things!" (after I'd told her that I plan to keep going to the weekly CODA meetings for awhile) and then she also said not that there aren't other reasons.


also a long time ago I was so fed up with myself and said in kind of a huff "Why can't you just fix me already!! she said "Art, you aren't broken. You know that isn't how this works."


when i told her during a phone session one time that I'd published my poetry book, she squealed her delight and said "I'm so proud of you!!"

I have had many, many good moments with my therapist.
Once she came to work with me to watch me work for a little bit, and she kept saying she was amazed at how brilliant I was.
Opening birthday presents with her is always fun. We laugh a lot.
Walking along the beach while we talked. We were talking about scary things, but being at the beach and being relaxed made it much easier.
Taking her dog for a walk.
She says many encouraging words to me that have meant a lot.

[Inner_Firefly]

Originally Posted by RiverLight

For me, some of the nicest things my T said were in relation to a big project I'm working on. She always said she'd be the first one standing in the crowd cheering me on when (big project) is complete. She also said she'd do the same if/when I got my graduate degree.

Once, I received a very positive e-mail about (big project) while in session, and I saw the e-mail while in the lobby walking out. I e-mailed my T about it, and she responded right away just saying "Holy ****!!" Then she e-mailed me again several hours later saying congratulations and how proud she was.

I also loved telling her funny stories that made her cover her mouth because she was trying not to laugh (You don't have to be a blank slate all the time--I'm funny, just laugh!)

And once she said, "You're adorable," which I loved, of course.

Aww that's so sweet! It really warmed my heart to read how cool your T is! Happy for you!

[ruh roh]

I think the nicest was when I was so tired I couldn't keep my eyes open, so I laid down to rest and my therapist just sat with me (in her own chair) and it felt safe like nothing before.

Also, when she gave me a punching bag, and other times when she's given me ice, or zipped up my backpack if I left with it open, or pointed out if my shoelaces were untied. Or emailed to check in.

I guess all of these things felt caring, and the weird thing is that I didn't realize until just now that she does a lot of this kind of thing and I never noticed that it was a pattern.

[coolibrarian]

Originally Posted by RiverLight

Maybe it's because I'm in a good mood this morning and am looking for some positive energy and reassurance!

What's the nicest thing your therapist has ever said to you?
Or your best memory of him/her/them?

(I'm trying to get to a place where I can really focus on the positives in my therapy experience instead of obsessing over the negative parts that leave me feeling sad)

There have been many. But the most recent was when she told me she was proud of me, after my book was published.

[CharlieStarDust]

When I was in a pretty dark place, she expressed sincere concern for my well-being. She said it was hard seeing me like that. It was her tone and the genuineness that made me feel so much better and helped get me back up.

[susannahsays]

Hmm, I was going to be all cynical and say that the therapist never says anything nice to me, but that would be a downright lie. I guess I just feel confused when she says these things to me, like maybe she is trying to manipulate me. Back to your question. The therapist does some things I appreciate, although I wouldn't go so far as to say we are having some sort of "moment." I keep the therapist away from me, so we do not have moments. Anyway, she sometimes does things I do not dislike. I appreciate when she responds to my angry text messages. C never responds when I talk to her, so it is nice that the therapist doesn't ignore me - not that I feel she should, but I know some therapists would. I like that the therapist takes me seriously when I am angry with her (or when she thinks I am angry with her - sometimes I seem angry but I am not). I have read about several therapists on PC who are very complacent, and just assume that the client is full of hot air when the client expresses anger. I am glad that the therapist is not like that. I like when the therapist tells C that she needs to not be a lazy lump (my words, not hers) and depend on me for everything. I like that the therapist thinks C should apologize to me for some things. I like that the therapist isn't an idiot or a coward, even though it sometimes makes things uncomfortable for me. I know she is not because she notices when I contradict myself and confronts me about it. I like that the therapist does not coddle me.

Now I feel like I need to write all the things the therapist does that I do not like, but that is not what you asked and is not at all in the spirit of your post. I know my answer wasn't exactly what you asked for, but it was looking at the positives I see in my own experience, so I hope it helps.

[Calla lily12]

My T was dealing with a family members health crisis. I asked who was cooking for him and doing errands etc. Then I said "You really need a daughter". He said "As far as I'm concerned, I have one." Yes...I cried....

[Echos Myron redux]

It's probably when he said he sees me as part of his legacy. I don't even have words to describe what that sentiment means to me.

[nottrustin]

So many..

When I felt like I was falling apart ahe told me she wouldn't let me. She would be there to support me through.

One time I was at her home with my son. She had been stung by a bunch of wasps from a nest on her deck. I grabbed her can of of spray to kill them. She was afraid I would get stung. I told her not to worry she had already been stung enough and I wanted to be sure my kiddo didn't get atung. She told me she was going to be the other mother and insisted I put a blanket around my bare shoulders.

I told her that shortly before my mom's death she told me so was the mom she always wanted to be. Whenever I was feeling like I had let my kids down she would remind me of mom's words. When mom said it I didn't realize the significance of it. So T wanted to remind me often. She also said how lucky my kids were and probably will never realize it because I broke the cycle of abuse.

Originally Posted by susannahsays

[...] Now I feel like I need to write all the things the therapist does that I do not like, but that is not what you asked and is not at all in the spirit of your post. I know my answer wasn't exactly what you asked for, but it was looking at the positives I see in my own experience, so I hope it helps.

Thank you for sticking to the positives, though I would have completely understood if you had gone on a rant, too, because that's my problem! I can list things that didn't bother me about my therapist, but for every positive thing, there are five complaints I have, too. I'm trying really hard to break the cycle, but it's become a habit, and the negativity bias keeps gnawing at me. Even today, after posting this, I got down on myself about my T. Sometimes it feels like a never-ending process. But I'm glad your therapist has some redeemable qualities that are noticeable. Mine does, too, when I take the time to notice them...

Originally Posted by ruh roh

[...] I guess all of these things felt caring, and the weird thing is that I didn't realize until just now that she does a lot of this kind of thing and I never noticed that it was a pattern.

Thank you, RR! This last part is exactly what I'm trying to focus on in my experience. My T has done a lot of kind things that I haven't always recognized, but actually writing on PC and reviewing some of my sessions has helped me notice some of them.

Thank you everyone for the responses! I'm really moved by the stories of people feeling supported and seen. I hope we can hear more of them It's inspiring me to focus more on the positive and try to be grateful for my therapist's support.

[annielovesbacon]

Mostly it's the little things that make me happy in therapy. One time she called me a "badass." Sometimes she will compliment my outfit or my makeup. Sometimes she will tell me a funny anecdote from her life.

The kindest thing she has done for me, which I will never forget, is when she heard about (I see her at my university, so I suspect she heard this from her boss, who probably heard it from my adviser) about this really awful thing that happened to me and that I was taking it really hard. She called me personally (she never does that, only the front desk calls me) and scheduled a special session. She came in an hour earlier just for me. I will always be so grateful for that.

[CantExplain]

Madame T was very careful about the things she said to me. She said "I love you too" a couple of times, but there are probably more personal things that I have forgotten.

This turned out less positive than I had hoped.

PS: The nicest moments were silent, when we just looked at each other and felt the love.

[winterblues17]

We have had many nice moments over the last couple years. Mainly there is nothing in particular that has happened, but sometimes she will just smile at me and in that moment I feel really connected and cared for. A few times when I've got myself into a bit of a state and she's offered drinks also make me feel really nice, like she's willing to look after me.

Times she's joked and got me to smile or briefly laugh. The time she offered to call without me initiating and did.

[Merope]

Ah, there are so many. Once he called me attractive with a really deadpan expression and it made me feel flattered but also a little awkward because I don't really know how to take compliments. I think it put a smile on my face for a whole week afterwards, the idea that he finds me attractive (though it definitely helped bring on a little erotic transference on my part). I made him laugh out loud a few times which felt good--I like to think he finds me funny. We never hugged or had any sort of physical contact, but once he came really close to me when explaining something and it felt very safe. Every thoughtful email that he sent me. Every time he kept me overtime because he was so invested in what he was saying/in what I was saying. The way he smiled (in an accepting, caring way) when I told him something I initially found hard to open up about. The way he stood up for me when I couldn't. Also, the way he teases me sometimes. It feels like a very dad-like thing to do, which again, makes me feel safe.

I guess some of these fall under "normal", but to me, they are nice because I never had anyone like him before, who listens, and accepts and is a constant rock.

[CantExplain]

Me: I think I work pretty hard here.
Madame T: You're better than most.

[PurpleBlur]

my therapist does and says so many wonderful things i dont know how to pick one...she always says she is proud of me, shes always there if i need to check in, shes genuine...she helped me build a business (via encouragement.)