Posted by Aphrodite on March 1, 2005, at 15:18:09
In reply to Session - Stuck?, posted by Speaker on February 26, 2005, at 13:34:04
I'm going to be very blunt, and you are free to shoot holes in my post or at me because I admit up front that I am responding through the filter of my own experience.
That said . . .
My T has a working diagnosis with me of complex PTSD, repeated traumas like you have had. It is not the same as PTSD; it's very different and complicated (hence the word "complex"!) An expert in PTSD is not an expert in complex PTSD.
I could not work with a T who lacked the empathy in the way you have described your T. The fact that he did not respond effectively at the death in your family is a huge red flag to me. Events like that trigger so much in a trauma client.
The healing for me comes from the relationship I have with him. I *know* and I *feel* his care and concern and his position as my ally. It took awhile to trust and depend on it, but I never questioned it. I just had to work on being able to receive it. But if I ever doubted his fully being "in it" with me and being there when things start to unravel whether that is in session or 3 a.m., I could never do this work. I could never heal. More than his expertise or degrees, it is the fact that he is there for me that allows me to reexperience all this in a way that is different from the first time around. If I felt unsure of this or was insecure about his concern, it would be retraumatizing.
Again, this is my take and what I need. I need a consistent, loving presence to speak and heal and I can barely do it then. Do you think your T can bridge that distance, and be close and connected enough for you to feel safe in this work?
poster:Aphrodite
thread:463767
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050225/msgs/465005.html