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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by yellowbird01 on May 12, 2009, at 15:52:08
Had a very weird experience today! I'm not looking for any response in particular, but wanted to share with someone who would understand why it felt so weird.
I saw my T this morning. After, I fiddled with my GPS thing for a few minutes before leaving the parking lot. She ended up leaving in her car right behind me. We drove the same way and she got a few hundred feet ahead of me in the lane next to me. I was aware she was there, but not paying close attention. Until she got in an accident! Not a terrible accident, but more than a little fender bender. I had a moment of "what do I do?" panic and ended up swinging into the next side street, parking, and walking up the street to where she was standing on the sidewalk. I dont know if that was appropriate given boundaries etc but how could I not stop? She seemed a bit shaken but was fine. I asked if she needed a ride anywhere (we were no more than 2 miles from her office) and she declined. I asked if she was sure then left. She said she was getting in touch with her husband.
It's always weird for me when those moments come up that remind me that therapists truly are "real people". It occurred to me after I parked and was walking up the street, what if I got to her and she was yelling at the other driver, or crying, or something else? That would have been difficult, but it wasnt the case.
I just hope we dont have to talk about the *meaning* of all this next week!
Posted by Tabitha on May 12, 2009, at 22:33:40
In reply to A weird experience, posted by yellowbird01 on May 12, 2009, at 15:52:08
That must have been really weird. I think you did the right thing to stop and offer her a ride.
Posted by FindingMyDesire on May 12, 2009, at 23:32:57
In reply to A weird experience, posted by yellowbird01 on May 12, 2009, at 15:52:08
Yellow,
Wow, that *must* have been weird! I can't even imagine it. It's not like just bumping into her in the grocery store parking lot. It's seeing her in a time of being shaken up and in need. I mean, it's true that they are "real people" but it's sure hard for me to think about that.How are you feeling about it now that it has been with you for the day? You know she *will* probably want to talk about it... seems like some kind of opportunity. ;-)
Hope you are doing OK.
FMD
Posted by yellowbird01 on May 13, 2009, at 14:24:55
In reply to Re: A weird experience, posted by FindingMyDesire on May 12, 2009, at 23:32:57
Weird indeed.
FMD, you asked how I'm doing now that it's been a day. I'm doing okay, doing fine with regards to that incident. I really want to pick up the phone and call her, or email, just to see how she's doing and connect for a second.. but I wont. I know she's physically okay and that would be my biggest concern. The desire to contact her is more about just wanting to acknowledge what happened... that I stepped into her "outside life" for a minute and acknowledge the fact that it was weird. Then I want to move on from the topic.. no need to talk about it for hours!
I think you're right that she will ask me about it. I can hear her voice in my head saying "what was that like for you?" :) It really wasnt a huge deal for me.
It was a lesson though about why boundaries are as they are in therapy. I had a hard night last night, unrelated to this incident. Often I will email her once after a session to lie up loose ends I felt like I didnt explain, or to vent, etc... she rarely responds but that's fine. Last night, I considered it but didnt, 99% because of the fact I knew she was having a crappy day and wasnt likely in the mood for any additional crazy. That's why Ts dont tell us what's going on in their lives huh?
I'm still struggling with defining my relationship with her in my mind. It used to be different than it is now. Boundaries got too loose at one point and they are back to "normal" now. I can feel myself resisting and testing it.
Posted by yellowbird01 on May 14, 2009, at 16:59:28
In reply to Re: A weird experience, posted by yellowbird01 on May 13, 2009, at 14:24:55
Just to add to the weirdness of my week...
I left my pdoc a voicemail yesterday morning because I was feeling pretty desperate and wanted some advice about taking my "as needed" meds. I wasnt in crisis and made it clear that I wasnt in imminent danger or anything. I have his pager number but chose not to use it. He called me back... at 10:30pm that night. What????
I was awake, just watching TV, so it really made no difference that he called so late... but weird. Why didnt he just call in the morning? Just weird!
This is the end of the thread.
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