meaningful intimate conversations

If you had someone in your life that you could have deep conversations with and be completely vulnerable around, where you both share intimate experiences and feelings with each other, and wholeheartedly listen to each other, and relate where you can... could this make a difference to your situation? Or at least play a huge role in how you cope with things? Whatever your struggles may be.

The therapeutic relationship may be the closest to what I have described, but it is not the relationship described unfortunately. There can't be when there's no mutual sharing, and especially when the relationship will eventually end...

Yes having strong reliable relationships in your life will greatly aid in your healing journey. Having someone to share your anxieties and hardships along with someone you can also add support to is very healing. I believe the whole point in therapy is to help you understand yourself more and improve your life outside the therapy room.

I don't have that experience in my life at the moment. I wish I did. I think it would help me to feel understood and to understand someone else. My former T did a good job at it, but like you say, there's not mutual sharing and the relationship ended. And I'm worse for wear now that it ended. But I wish I had someone in my life like that. I think it would be a help. HUGS Kit

I think it helps. I have a best friend that I have considered in pretty much everything T knows but not all.i also have a wonderful husband who I can talk to.

Both of them have what I consider the perfect childhood. They came from loving supportive homes with both parents. They had family support outside if their parents and neither had any type of abuse. Neither suffer from depression or anxiety. They listen to me and can emphasize but there is a lot they do not understand and don't know what to say or how to help. My husband often tries and totally misses the mark and often makes matters worse.

Yes, I think this does make a big difference. Just the act of sharing and being understood often makes me feel better, and I feel good about myself when I can be there for other people this way too.

I have found, though, that it's pretty rare to find more than maybe one person you can be completely vulnerable with. Maybe a spouse or a very good friend, if you're lucky. I think it can be better to share certain things with select trustworthy people, especially if it have things in common, like if you both have anxiety or you both have messed up families. That way you avoid putting all your eggs in one basket, so you aren't totally lost if if the relationship ends.

Good Advice ElectricManatee

I have in real life. I have never experienced such a thing with a therapist.