[Omers]

It’s been a while since I have been on... life got crazy... then ugly... then some more crazy as it so often does. Anyway... back on an up swing starting a new job tomorrow that I am excited about... but that’s not why I stopped by...
Awesome T is still awesome... it really can happen. We go back and forth between video and in person sessions based on what is going on in his life. He is moving towards retirement, no longer taking new clients, reorganizing his practice and traveling more with his wife (safely).
Today was an in person session. I went up with a throw blanket in my purse and curled up on the couch. T commented that he has never seen me so comfortable and relaxed. It is rare for me, even at home, to be so relaxed so he had a point. It was a good session and we are making progress... less trauma stuff and more what now? Kind of stuff. We are going to try to read a book together that “my” now retired priest suggested in a sermon. T has been worried about my spiritual health. We talk about his retirement, what kind of life he wants to create for himself in this new phase... it was a wonderful role model of how we are always growing, changing, healing and creating our life.
Last session we talked about the disaster that was T2 and where I am with that. Once I get settled into the new job and finances are better we are going to try it again. This time we are going to start with sessions with all three of us. It has become clear that I still struggle with women and some personality types... T2 is both... I want to work through it and know that T1 being a man and not that personality type he can’t really help much other than coaching and support.

Awesome T is still awesome. Loving, nurturing, supportive, consistent... awesome T. I am learning more about myself now as I am better able to reflect on things between us. I am feeling safe being seen by him on deeper levels. It feels loving now instead of threatening. I did get anxious on him about his retirement when he offered to help me transition to a different T. He just ment it as an option knowing I would worry asking him to change... I heard it as him referring out long term clients. But... it was easily fixed and now I am more secure than before.

[LonesomeTonight]

I was just thinking of you the other day and wondering how you were doing, Omers. So I'm glad you posted a positive update. Good luck with the job!

I'm glad it's still going really well with your T. Out of curiosity, what's his timeline for retirement like? Would he still be able to see you for, say, a year? Longer? I'm sure I'd really struggle with something like that (and it's something I was concerned about while seeing ex-T, as she was around 70 at the time).

Hugs if wanted.

[ArtieTheSequal]

Nice to see you, Omers, and to read your positive update!

[Omers]

T owns the building he works out of and rents to two other T’s so I think that is influencing his plans. He is no longer taking new clients as he transitions, will not be taking on individual clients and plans on doing therapy intensives for couples and possibly group therapy once it is safe to gather. He wants to travel more. Everything he is moving towards has a definite beginning and ending point when he starts it unlike individuals where “it takes as long as it takes”. So... he has not given me a definitive time line. He has said he is going to be in the office less and sometimes he will offer phone or video sessions but not always. If his travels and such get to a point where I need more stability to keep growing he will help me find someone who can offer that stability.
While he has made me feel rushed in my work in the recent past for other reasons he is not rushing me to heal so he can retire. He has also told me that he knows I stay connected to important people from my past weather or not I am able to stay in touch with them. He has said that he is OK with being a part of each others lives for the rest of our lives... he was not willing to say what that would look like beyond allowing me to stay in touch at least in a limited way and he would respond.
We have also talked about what feelings I have for him are truly about him the person and which feelings are likely because of his role as therapist. While it isn’t that clear cut it was helpful to have it acknowledged that many of the feelings I have for him ARE about him not transference, not just because he is my T but because of who he is.

[SlumberKitty]

Thanks Omers Nice to hear from you. I'm glad things are going well with T even though he is moving towards retirement. It was good to get a good update and to hear how you are.