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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Angela2 on September 18, 2008, at 8:38:48
I find sometimes that there is so much to talk about and too little time in T. Does anyone else ever feel this way? What do you do?
Posted by JayMac on September 18, 2008, at 10:24:30
In reply to Too many topics, too little time, posted by Angela2 on September 18, 2008, at 8:38:48
I always feel this way. I don't know what to do. My T wants me to see her more often, but she knows I can't right now. I journal during the week. I write as if she's right there with me. I talk to her in my journal. I think about what she and I spoke of in our last session.
Posted by lucie lu on September 18, 2008, at 10:29:47
In reply to Too many topics, too little time, posted by Angela2 on September 18, 2008, at 8:38:48
Yes... what often works is to write my thoughts down (try to put them in some reasonable order and don't be too cryptic - use real prose), bring two copies to the session. Have your T read it and the two of you can prioritize how to best structure the session. Both reading the Reader's Digest version at the start helps to cut to the chase. Also helps if your T is a fast reader. Mine has gotten to be a speed reader over the years ;)Sometimes some of the things I think are so important to talk about that I want to discuss them immediately end up not being so, or are a subplot of something else etc. I make that connection myself and the urgency to discuss it fades. But if there are major, pressing issues that I feel cannot wait, I usually will ask for an extra session, as time and money allow. My T will usually do it for me, especially in that case. Or at least a phone call between sessions. Email might also be an option if you use email with your T (I don't).
Good luck, Lucie
Posted by sunnydays on September 18, 2008, at 10:43:49
In reply to Too many topics, too little time, posted by Angela2 on September 18, 2008, at 8:38:48
All the time. What do I do - I cry at the end of the session and get very little-girlish and scared to leave. I complain to him a lot about it. We talk about why I feel so desperate to cover everything. He lets me email him. He understands. Try telling your T - I bet he/she will understand too.
sunnydays
Posted by lucie lu on September 18, 2008, at 11:01:15
In reply to Re: Too many topics, too little time » Angela2, posted by sunnydays on September 18, 2008, at 10:43:49
Sunny,
OK I'll come clean... I do that too!
I just forgot to mention that part (LOL)See, you're not alone, Angela :)
Lucie
> All the time. What do I do - I cry at the end of the session and get very little-girlish and scared to leave. I complain to him a lot about it. We talk about why I feel so desperate to cover everything. He lets me email him. He understands. Try telling your T - I bet he/she will understand too.
Posted by Dinah on September 18, 2008, at 11:35:02
In reply to Too many topics, too little time, posted by Angela2 on September 18, 2008, at 8:38:48
Some days I have nothing to say. Other days I have so much I want to talk about, and it all seems urgent, and I really resent the ending of the session. Last session was like that.
I tell myself that there is always next session, and that is true. But sometimes the urgency wears away, and I may never bring something up. Is that because it wasn't worth bringing up? Or did I lose an opportunity to discuss something that could benefit me?
I always want to call my therapist to try to schedule an extra session. But lately I've found myself thinking not calling is virtuous. Perhaps because I know in my heart that in many ways I'm doing pretty well right now. I feel that if I'm not in crisis, then calling for extra sessions would be self indulgent. I feel that I need to try my wings between sessions. Learn to self soothe.
The funny thing is that if anyone else expressed those views, I'd probably tell them to stop being so hard on themselves and to call their therapist. I'd have told myself that a year ago. So I have the sneaking feeling I'm not being as grown up as I think I am.
Hmmm... I also often post on Babble. I find the give and take with other posters often helps me work things through or bring the incoherent thoughts into a meaningful whole, even without my therapist's presence. Then I bring the finished product to him. To some extent, I guess, I've learned to be my own therapist. But I can only do it in the give and take with others. If I try to think of it on my own, my brain does loopty loops and I enter into a mobius strip of thought.
This is the end of the thread.
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