[krazibean]

also known as, "so what's next?" or "now what?" or as my T put it, "so what else is there that you want me to help you work on in your life."

why is this a dreaded question...because I DON'T KNOW!!!

it means that in her eyes, she has done all she can for me, and she is now asking me what i feel needs work. For me, all i feel we accomplished is that i've fallen completely in love with her (in a totally straight way) and i never want our relationship to end. So, this brings me to my recurrent issue of KEEPING MYSELF SICK! i've done it so much throughout the years. It means if i get better, therapy will be over, and i don't want it to end! But if we have nothing to talk about anymore, then i need to think of stuff to talk about! I'm not saying im completely healthy and theres no reason for me to be in therapy, because i don't think any of my issues have been solved yet. But i feel as if we are at a point now where we need something concrete to be working on, and i haven't the slightest clue! I'm afraid if i can't come up with something she will think i don't need her anymore...and thats so not true...i need her more than anyone. GAH!

[sidony]

Do not panic.

It's okay to continue therapy even without a complete crisis.

My thinking is that if you still really want to see T, then you still really need to!

You can always go with vague personal growth or want-to-get-better-at-interpersonal-relationships types of issues. After all, who doesn't want that? Or go existential -- talk about finding meaning in life, etc. Seriously, just find something to talk about. And if you're like me, some event in life will come along anyway that you need help with. Though I'm not wishing any bad luck your way!!!

Or you could go totally straightforward and talk about how much you need her!

I used to panic about this stuff too. And sometimes I really don't know what to talk about. I talk about some weird random crap. It often finds its way to something meaningful that I go away thinking about.

Your T won't leave just because you're having trouble talking for a bit. Don't panic!

Sidony

[Cyran0]

I think "I don't know how to function without being engaged in the mental health establishment" is a fine issue to deal with in therapy. Being in love with your T is good too.

Cyran0

[sunrise]

krazibean, what brought you to therapy in the first place? You say none of your issues have been solved, so at the very least, you could tell your T that and say you would like to continue to work on the original issues. I think sharing the thoughts in your post would be a great topic for therapy!

Also, I disagree with the idea that you have to be unhealthy in order to be in therapy. It is OK to be healthy and see a therapist! I view my mental health from a position of wellness rather than one of pathology. Healthy people can have problems that therapists can help them with: phobias, relationships, depression, anxiety, difficulty expressing emotions, etc.

I think you are the best source of information your therapist has for why you are there in her office. If you don't know, how can your therapist know or help you? Maybe you can spend some time on self-reflection through writing in a journal, meditating, writing poetry, etc. I remember from a very early session with my therapist, he said, "only you know what you need to heal," and I have kept that statement close ever since. It's been empowering, actually. I try to listen to my unconscious and plumb the depths for what I need to heal, and then I follow that, and share what I need with my T. He's not my guide, but my companion on the journey.

TC & GL

[smiley1984]

hmmm, recently public health officials have been making a big deal about disease prevention because in the long run it is cheaper than the cost of becoming unwell. If you are going to fall apart if you stop seeing her, maybe it could be one of your prevention stategies.

[Perna]

You could start with a discussion about this dreaded question and what it means to you. You could have it "wrong" and she's only asking how better to serve you. It is your therapy so dependent on what you want to work on. For that reason alone, she can't lead, has to ask the question if you aren't leading.

So, I would work on the fact that she had to ask the question because you aren't leading? :-)

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The next thing I want us to work on is how I can become a leader in my own life.

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