Psycho-Babble Psychology Thread 297449

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A surprisingly not bad group session.

Posted by tabitha on January 6, 2004, at 23:09:39

I just had my first session after the 2-week break. During the break I was feeling pretty hopeless about the group and even therapy in general. I only had one brief phone session during the break and it wasn't good. So... I was shocked that I felt OK in the group. I shared about a couple of things, and didn't quite get the supportive response I wanted, and stood up for myself a little.. said something to the effect that It's OK if you guys don't get this or think I'm weird but this is my life and I need to talk about it. And it really did feel OK to share and maybe not get all the understanding and support that I wanted.

Then it moved on to another guy who had a miraculous reconciliation with his girlfriend. Everyone was cautious about his prospects but I got all teary about it. The beautiful redemptive powers of human understanding and all that.. it just choked me up. I was just so happy to hear that a broken relationship had been mended.. even if they run into problems again.

So maybe there's hope for the group. The one woman I was not liking, thinking she was not liking me and all that, well I'm trying to give her a chance. She admitted she was feeling judgement toward me and having trouble listening to me because of that. So I wasn't completely nuts to think there's something not clicking between us. I'm just trying to stay open to the possibility that we might eventually connect.

 

Re: A surprisingly not bad group session. » tabitha

Posted by Sabina on January 7, 2004, at 1:17:33

In reply to A surprisingly not bad group session., posted by tabitha on January 6, 2004, at 23:09:39

i'm so glad to hear that it went better for you...especially that you were able to make a bit of a potential inroad with the woman that you didn't like. i think that's quite a good sign.

 

Re: A surprisingly not bad group session. » tabitha

Posted by fallsfall on January 7, 2004, at 7:00:18

In reply to A surprisingly not bad group session., posted by tabitha on January 6, 2004, at 23:09:39

Good for you, Tabitha!

This group is so challenging for you. But you keep working at it and trying different approaches. That is exactly what group is supposed to do. To give you a place to try things out.

You should be proud of yourself, I'm proud of you.

 

Wonderful! (nm) » tabitha

Posted by Poet on January 7, 2004, at 9:08:32

In reply to A surprisingly not bad group session., posted by tabitha on January 6, 2004, at 23:09:39

 

Re: A surprisingly not bad group session. » tabitha

Posted by Karen_kay on January 7, 2004, at 11:34:13

In reply to A surprisingly not bad group session., posted by tabitha on January 6, 2004, at 23:09:39

That's great! I've always been hesitant to try group because I'm selfish and want it to be all about me!
That's wonderful that you could share the joy with the man who reconciled the relationship with his girlfriend. And the woman who you were having problems with, I wish you luck with her as well. I hope that you two can connect. Who knows what will happen in the future? That's what is strange about people. Sometimes you make connections with people you really never thought you would. You just never know.. Good luck and keep me updated, OK?

Karen

 

Re: A surprisingly not bad group session. » tabitha

Posted by Dinah on January 7, 2004, at 16:41:31

In reply to A surprisingly not bad group session., posted by tabitha on January 6, 2004, at 23:09:39

That's great, Tabitha. Very encouraging.

You know, I have had one very good experience with being honest and vulnerable with someone I really didn't like and who didn't like me. Of course, she was a pastor and trained in counseling. But the results were really good, and she became the interpreter between me and the rest of the group of people in Sunday School. I had to drop out of the class when she left.

Perhaps your results with this woman won't be that extreme, but maybe you can get to understand each others' good points and come to acceptance.

I really admire your courage.

 

Re: Thanks for the support everyone

Posted by tabitha on January 8, 2004, at 18:43:02

In reply to Re: A surprisingly not bad group session. » tabitha, posted by Dinah on January 7, 2004, at 16:41:31

Had a good individual session today too. I asked her when I'll be done with therapy, which is something I haven't brought up for a long time. That got around to her sharing her goals for me.. and I had to admit they sounded like good goals, and things the group can help me with too. I asked for a timetable-- she would say only that people change at different rates. She wouldn't even narrow it down to somewhere between 6 months and 10 years.

So I ended up feeling some renewed commitment to the process. Maybe I've gotten over the worst of the shock of starting the group experience.. I hope.

Many many thanks to all who have listened and supported me here. It really helps me through.


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