Posted by shrinking violet on August 15, 2004, at 14:00:56
In reply to TOV club: question for fist session back, posted by gardenergirl on August 14, 2004, at 7:52:51
I'm very much a "planner" and like to have things laid out and know what to expect (which doesn't always work in therapy!), so perhaps my opinion wouldn't work for you, but here's my 2 1/2 cents:
>>...Insights and feelings and etc. that I've experienced since he's been gone. Oh, and I think my inner child actually separated while I was meditating. That seems important. And it relates to the last session I had before he left.
>> Now the other aspect is a transference thing, and that in itself is probably also worth talking about. I feel like I'm anticipating Daddy coming back from one of his frequent business tripsIt seems important to deal with these issues, since they are related and also, as you mentioned, touch upon where you left off. To process how you feel about his returning (anticipation) and seeing him again would be a good place to start, which may also tie into the inner child issue, and can also include other issues/feelings/thoughts you had while he's been away.
>>My list includes practical stuff like the visit with my new pdoc and the reactions to the dosage increase I've had recently. Now this is actually more complex than it sounds, based on how that visit went. And also some questions I have about the psychological impact of the side effects.
This would seem to be a good "middle of session" thing to discuss if you still feel it important and relevant, if/when you exhaust processing his absence and your reaction to his returniing.
>>There is also stuff like a household problem that reminded me of a somewhat traumatic event in childhood that is probably ripe for interpretation. and all the things I want to share with him.
This seems very important, but it also might take up more time in order to explore it fully, so perhaps get some of the other issues dealt with, and then you might feel like you can really work on this without feeling pressured to get the other stuff out, too.
Just some thoughts. No matter how prepared we think we are for sessions, they can always go in a different direction (and often do!). If it makes you feel better to go in with a set agenda, then do so, but once you get there, "feel it out" and take it from there.
Good luck!
poster:shrinking violet
thread:377489
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040812/msgs/377944.html