#therapyconvo

[cactus-bunny]

D: Are you uncomfortable right now?

Me: *nods*

D: What is making you uncomfortable?

Me: I guess I'm just uncomfortable talking to you about this.

D: Why does is make you uncomfortable to discuss it with me?

Me: I guess I still feel incredibly judged from last time...

D: I'm sincerely sorry about that, R. May I ask what you think my judgement is?

Me: Uh, that you think I'm just being dramatic.

D: I don't think you're being dramatic at all! Nor do I think you're "stupid" or "ridiculous" or anything like that. What I think is that you are very frustrated with your depression and anxiety and very frustrated that you haven't been able to "get rid of it". I think you are desperate for an answer to explain why you are the way you are. But I don't think you're dramatic, not even a little bit.

[cactus-bunny]

Funny therapy conversations

1. 

R: I felt that you were speaking down to me, like... uh *has troubles relaying thoughts*

D: Like I was schooling you?  Like I was this big ol’ pompous know-it-all trying to teach you?

R: *Laughs too hard* YES!

D: *Chuckles* I apologize for that, I definitely don’t know it all.  And it was not my intention to speak down to you, but I understand now how it could come across like that.

2.

R: I feel really terrible about it still.

D: REALLY?!  We’re going to judge 12 year old R for acting like a 12 year old?!

R: *shrugs*

D: NO!!!! WE’RE NOT!!!!

3.

D: If you had an 8 year old who came to you with these same concerns what would you tell her?

R” *Can’t think of anything* *Panics*

D: You don’t know?

R: *Nods*

D: It’s because I put you on the spot isn’t it?

R: Absolutely! *Laughs*

[cactus-bunny]

Therapy things D said to ponder

1. D: R, if being (condition redacted) will make you accept yourself, then I’ll tell you you’re (condition redacted).  But I don’t think you need to label/diagnosis to be able to accept who you are.

2. D: I would like you to be more selfish, to have compassion for yourself, and to see your worth as equal to everyone else’s.

3. D: I know that your mental health is extremely important to you.  And I really commend you SO much for always trying to better understand yourself.  The incredibly hard work you do to help yourself does not go unnoticed.  I give you SO much credit for that, R, and I think you should to.

[cactus-bunny]

A therapy moment that made me tear up

Me: I feel that after 11 years in therapy I am not where I think I should be.  I have barely made any progress.

D: R, I don’t think that is even the least bit true!  When we first met, in June 2011, did you see yourself where you are today?

Me: *ponders* No... I had very bleak prospects for myself then...

D: I remember.  R, you MANAGE a medical practice - and you are GOOD at it, you’re taking a course to become certified - you are an incredibly bright person and you’ve found your niche, you are fully independent - you moved out of your folks home, you’re getting FUCKING married!!!  You have come SO far from where you were 11 years ago, even 5 or 3 years ago.

Me: *shrugs* Yeah, I guess.

D: I think you get so wrapped up in the aspects of yourself and your life that are still a struggle for you and it takes over your mind space and it clouds your judgement and perception of yourself and your accomplishments.

***I find it incredibly hard to accept praise, and it almost always makes me cry.