Posted by annierose on September 10, 2009, at 6:52:04
In reply to Is your therapist nurturing?, posted by rickjen on September 9, 2009, at 19:22:18
Therapy is a different sort of a relationship --- with different boundaries, rules, language. And keep in mind, each therapist is schooled in varying orientations, combined with their own personal style.
Like any relationship, it develops over time. Although my therapist is psychodynamic (which is more blank slate approach as compared with a humanist approach) in her calm exterior (and interior) I can feel her warmth and comfort across the room with her words, her manner and her tone.
I guess your question is a good question to ask your therapist. What does "nurturing" mean to you? Some therapist (certainly not all) will hug a client. Mine would never touch me. Think of a therapist as a person who is there to understand you - - - to uncover all those layers to get to your truth. Think about the reason that brought you to therapy. For me, I was having difficulty in intimate relationships. So in my sessions, we are trying to understand what gets in the way, how my brain works when a,b and c happens.
Some sessions I'm angry - at her, at my life, at the world. Others I'm sad - and have compassion for myself and people in my life. And others I'm full of life. I bring all of myself to therapy and I'm often surprise how the session unfolds.
"Just listens as I pour my heart out" --- to me, that sounds like a wonderful quality to have in a therapist ... that is a comforting gesture ... not judging, accepting you and your story, listening with an open heart. Although it might appear like he is "just" listening, therapist listen differently than you or I. They are listening for understanding the difficulties you are facing --- your personality patterns.
The relationship is rich and rewarding. But it takes time.
poster:annierose
thread:916241
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20090907/msgs/916305.html