[DP_2017]

So I wrote a 6.5 page letter to "spike" in the middle of the night when I couldn't fall back to sleep.

I obviously would like him to read it, but I'm banned from talking to him

So... my question is, would you give something like this to one of the other Ts? I normally wouldn't because it seems like too much but I'm also gonna be gone for 2-3 weeks so I wont be seeing anyone for a while, there would be time to get through it.

I'm just wondering it this might be a good insight for them to understand the pain and where I'm coming from, a bit easier

I see a new person "baby T" (he's super young looking) tomorrow night, so I probably wouldn't just toss that to him then, but they kept my Monday afternoon with him as well in case I choose to go forward with him, so I could then.

If I opted against baby T, Monday am, I would see Tuesday T and that would be my second time with him. Either way, Monday is my last session until March 1 at the earliest. I'm just curious if this would be a good idea, especially with the long wait after Monday or would you just stick to notes?

[Elio]

I'd be just as torn. Whichever way you go is fine. I think I might want to try to wait until after surgery and see how things go. It is completely possible that some of the intensity of what is going on for you is being ramped up or magnified simply because of you having surgery and Spike was your safety net. You might find some of this intensity easing after your surgery. At the same time, sharing with either of these T's prior to surgery might be good for a number of reasons.

I know, not much help. I guess I see reasons for both ways and only your gut will be able to tell you in the moment which way you'll feel most comfortable or compelled to act.

[susannahsays]

Yeah, I think it could definitely help give them insight. Personally, I would give it to the therapist in session since it's rather long and I wouldn't expect them to spend the time to read it outside of session. I think I recall the one whom you will be having a second session with doesn't do between session contact, so it's possible he prefers to keep such things confined to the session - not sure that giving him 6.5 pages to read outside of session would be any different from expecting him to read a 6.5 page email.

But I do think you should share. If you think it will take up too much session time, perhaps it could be broken down into parts? Even if they did read it while you are out, it won't be very fresh in their minds unless they wait until it's a week or less before your appointment, imo.

[hopealwayz]

I think giving it to them would be helpful and insightful.

[DP_2017]

I think I'll probably ask how they feel about it first. I can always go through and highlight certain things too. I don't want them putting tons of extra time into me. I want nothing like before.

So I guess ask how they feel first

[Anne2.0]

The other option you have is to raise that you wrote a letter to your T as a way to work out your feelings, and you can talk about the letter rather than giving it to them to read. T's are trained to interact, and reading a letter is not interacting, and however clear you think your writing is, it is probably more information than they can absorb effectively. I doubt that giving someone a letter to read is an adequate substitute for having a conversation about the thing (in terms of T, especially).

I would not give a 6.5 page letter to a T to read in session, especially a stranger. They don't know you at all and I imagine that there is a ton of very personal content and nuance in that letter, which most likely would not be understood correctly or would be misinterpreted. Giving all the details without introduction. I personally would just use my therapy session to discuss the story, your feelings, maybe the letter and give them the opportunity to ask questions.

[DP_2017]

I didn't mean in session. I mean to read during my weeks off. However I'm already rethinking it

It's probably best best to stick with my notes

I made the mistake a few time of giving people (Ts included) too much information before even providing the basic / and opportunity to see who I am really. It never led to anything good, only a bunch of frustrating misunderstandings and false tracks.

[ArtleyWilkins]

I have written long letters to certain people that I eventually shared with my therapist (I didn't mail them to those people; just wrote them to "verbalize" by experience and emotions.) When I shared them; however, I didn't read the whole letter, but instead, picked out particular parts of the letter that I felt were points that I needed to discuss more with my therapist for one reason or another. He had me read those to him.

[velcro003]

Originally Posted by DP_2017

I didn't mean in session. I mean to read during my weeks off. However I'm already rethinking it

It's probably best best to stick with my notes

i don’t see why it would hurt to ask. i like the idea of giving it to them to read, esp during the few weeks off if they want to.

[ElectricManatee]

Is this one of the new ones that you haven't met yet? If so, I might hold off for a little bit, just because you won't know yet if he's trustworthy and good at his job until after you meet him and have time to consider how you feel about him. I do think sharing longer pieces of writing can be helpful, and I have done it myself a few times. My T has said that sometimes the things I write help her understand what I'm feeling in a deeper way.

[DP_2017]

One i met once. The other i meet tomorrow

Originally thought it was a good alternative to no sessions for weeks because i don't want long term but i don't think I'm gonna bother. I really only want spike to see it anyway.

I think it depends on your intention and what you are wanting to get out of sharing it with them?

If it's understanding and validation, then perhaps a friend? If it's to work through feelings then perhaps a T.

'Baby T'.... Makes me think of the baby shark song....

[DP_2017]

I don't talk to my friends about this... unless they are online..... and idk either but I've actually shredded it since. I was too afraid It would be found by family and it only made me angry anyway, didn't help me feel better, so I wont be needing this option now.

I got notes to use, so that's fine

[DP_2017]

Originally Posted by Client xx

'Baby T'.... Makes me think of the baby shark song....

LOL

That is the most annoying song ever