[AliceKate]

So, T doesn't really have a plan for our therapy. He says we'll deal with things as they come up. I asked if we would deal with childhood stuff, and he said we'd deal with it if something from the present brought it up, but he sees little reason to dig without cause.

I'm better, actually. Better able to structure my life as I would want it to be structured than I was a year ago. I still have anxiety though and am not sure where to go from here. Like, do I want more people in my life? Closer friendships? Or do I want to withdraw?

T said I could think about what I wanted to work through or such (basically as long as it has a relation to the present, though he didn't say that), but I'm not sure how to approach that. I guess there are some relationships that are worth discussing, like with my close family. I don't know.

How would you approach taking charge of your therapy process?

[mote.of.soul]

Hi @AliceKate

Maybe reflect on the reason's why you reached out for therapy in the very first place; if there's more than one reason then make a list prioritising them. Then go to the therapist and say I'd like you to help me with this, this and then this, please.

Good on you for seeking help and all the very best.🙏

[downandlonely]

I agree that thinking about it on your own and writing it down might help. Do you want to explore the past more?

[AliceKate]

Thanks for the tip! I!ll do that

Yeah, I'd like to know why I became as I am, but I'm not sure I'm willing to do all it takes to go there, so I guess I can't really ask my T for answers when it's me that ultimately needs to provide them.

[20oney]

In my personal experience with therapy, I’ve found discussing past relationships to be quite insightful. But I’ve also found it incredible difficult and complicated.

I can connect a lot of the “now” to things from past. Whether it be a direct relation or a similar thought/feeling. So maybe associating a feeling that has some familiarity to the past could help start a conversation?

[AliceKate]

Yes, probably. I have troubles identifying emotions though, espacially when there is someone else in the room. I think I will start with that, next session. Discussing a relationship. I think I need to take some time on the weekend to write some of these emotions and examples of situations when they came up down, so that T and I have some sort of frame to work in.