Posted by fallsfall on July 29, 2003, at 22:52:57
In reply to Re: Therapist Vacations » fallsfall, posted by Morgen on July 26, 2003, at 3:15:37
I talked to my therapist today about his vacation. He said nothing about talking with me himself. He mentioned that the woman in the next office can cover for him, and asked if I thought that would be helpful. I told him that if were to talk with someone else, that I would rather see my old group therapist. So, if she is going to be working those two weeks I will call her if I am having a really hard time. In the meantime, he and I will work on strategies for me to survive. The only thing I can see as a reason that he changed his mind is that I am in a very different place than I was when we talked about the phone calls.
I asked if he would give me a note that says that he isn't mad at me (this is what I obsess about) and that he thinks the future is optimistic for us to work together. I felt that I needed something concrete for the times when I would fall apart, sure that he was angry with me. He said no. But he said that he would call and leave me a message on my answering machine. That should do it.
I asked about books. He was very leary - "Why do you want me to recommend books?". He was concerned that if he recommended a book and it didn't work for me that there would be a problem. I told him that I get books from the University library, sort of at random. I thought if he recommended something that it might have a little more relevance. He gave me one title (a 1950s book that a friend of his wrote) and one author. That's a start. He asked what I have read - I have no idea what the titles are!! I gave him a little of the one I'm reading now (my memory is just awful), but couldn't remember the other one I've read that he would be interested in. Maybe he's starting to understand that I really can't remember anything.
But the really good news is that his vacation is supposed to be next week and the week after. I saw him today (Tuesday), and I'll see him Friday, and he's not actually leaving right away, so I can see him Monday, too. So it is more like a week and a half.
We had a productive discussion about why I freak out when my therapists are less than ecstatic about me. It will be a while before I really get it, but I think that if anyone can get me to see this stuff it is him.
poster:fallsfall
thread:244934
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030711/msgs/246632.html