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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by annierose on August 18, 2005, at 8:08:17
I so rarely dream about therapy, so I tend to always take notice of when I do. In a nutshell:
I'm in therapy. I am laying on my side, facing away from her. (I lay down normally, but on my back). I am quiet, a little sad. Don't know why. I hear her moving and she sits next to me and pats my back (as if to reassure me I'll be okay). Inside, I freeze (why is she doing that, totally out of character for her), but I try to calm down that it's okay, she is comforting me. She is talking to me, tells me she loves me (in an appropriate way, not icky), when (AND HERE IS THE PART I DON'T UNDERSTAND) the UPS driver comes into the office to drop off a package. But it's "my" UPS man that comes to my work. I notice his voice instantly, but he can't see me. My back is still towards the wall. My T jumps up to take the package and gently get him out of there, apologizing to me. I wake up.
Okay my dream experts, I would love to hear some feedback. Not only about the dream, but I do dare share this with my T. I see her this afternoon.
I'm counting on you, thank you, thank you, thank you in advance.
Annierose
Posted by fallsfall on August 18, 2005, at 8:17:49
In reply to Do I share this dream with my T? HELP!, posted by annierose on August 18, 2005, at 8:08:17
Why would you NOT share it with her?????????
I don't know what it means, but she will be able to help you figure it out.
I think that it is significant that you are even considering not telling her about this... that means that there is something underneath that is really scary for you. And that alone is reason to talk about it. I think you also need to tell her that you weren't sure you wanted to talk about it.
(((AnnieRose)))
Posted by Dinah on August 18, 2005, at 9:01:19
In reply to Do I share this dream with my T? HELP!, posted by annierose on August 18, 2005, at 8:08:17
I so rarely dream about therapy or anything else (until recently anyway) that I always bring in my therapy dreams. My therapist perks up his little ears and wags his tail and I feel like I'm giving him a treat. :)
So yes, bring it in.
I'm not sure what it means, except that maybe you recognize that she cares about you appropriately, but it is still threatening to you on some level?
I'm not sure about the UPS guy. Your outside world intruding on therapy? Other interests making headway? (Is the UPS guy cute?) Or maybe you're trying to distract yourself from something you need to work on in therapy (accepting appropriate caring?) by concentrating on work.
Posted by B2chica on August 18, 2005, at 10:35:27
In reply to Do I share this dream with my T? HELP!, posted by annierose on August 18, 2005, at 8:08:17
your back to her for me would signify reluctance of something to tell, express or show her. her comforting you is showing your need/want for unconditional acceptance and care. i'm not sure on the ups guy, the face was probably just someone you knw irl and he came out in the dream. to me what's significant is your response of knowing he couldn't recognize you and you stayed that way, also your T's response to get him out. Maybe there's something you are on the verge of sharing with her that 1)you are hesitant and unsure of your T's reaction-you will barge it out (ups guy being the topic) will she rush you through it with comfort? 2)you were feeling vulnearable and the T took care of that buy pushing out unwanted visitors almost protective like or 3) maybe it was a mix, a)you were afraid b)the ups guy is really cute.(hehe)
i'm no expert but these are a few things that come to mind.
but DEFINATELY share with her, let us know what she thinks. it sounds very interpretive and intersting.
b2c.
Posted by annierose on August 18, 2005, at 10:47:12
In reply to Re: Do I share this dream with my T? HELP! » annierose, posted by B2chica on August 18, 2005, at 10:35:27
Okay, I think I will tell her. Like Dinah says, it will feel like giving her a treat. The bad news is ... I won't see her delighted reaction since I lay down and close my eyes. Maybe I'll have to sit for this one, but it will sure be easier not having to see her on some level.
The UPS guy is cute, but I don't have a crush on him. Truth be told, I flirt more with the FedEx guy, our personalities are more matched that way.
So that part of the dream is the one piece of the puzzle I don't understand. When I saw this T years ago, there was an incident when the fire department did barge into our session. I thought it was hysterical at the time (since the T dismissed me when I told her I smelled smoke). It wasn't traumatic.
Fallsfall - why don't I want to tell? I guess I feel embarassed over her comforting me and telling me she loves me. I don't want her to make a big deal out of it. I don't want to hear the follow-up questions. But now you guys have me all excited to spill. My appointment is in 2 hours. I'll post back.
I so do apprepricate everyon'e's reply.
Annierose
Posted by Shortelise on August 18, 2005, at 11:38:14
In reply to Do I share this dream with my T? HELP!, posted by annierose on August 18, 2005, at 8:08:17
It's about you, about your feelings about therapy, about your relationship with your T, etc. It's about trust and intimacy, I think.
Of course you must share it with your T. She's on your side.
ShortE
Posted by annierose on August 18, 2005, at 14:31:45
In reply to Yes! » annierose, posted by Shortelise on August 18, 2005, at 11:38:14
Just got back, and I'm still processing everything. She was wonderful, of course. Before I began, I told her I was giving her a gift, and then gave her my conditions for hearing my dream, "You can't ask me what I felt the dream meant right away. I want to hear your thoughts."
We spent 95% of the session on this dream, seeing it from different angles. First off, she said even though intellectually I see her as a peer, emotionally, I see her as a mother figure. And in the dream, she represented the perfect mother/therapist, comforting me, telling me that she loved me, protecting me from the intruder. She asked if I felt her touching me was sexual in anyway. No, I didn't. But I told her it was outside my comfort zone, I was confused.
We kept going back to the UPS man. She wasn't sure what he represented. Maybe there was someone that we both knew in common. I reminded her of a parent in my child's school that went to grad school with her, but I don't "know" him. I may see him twice a year. This discussion was near the end of our session, and I wanted to ask her if she was thinking of someone. There is a greater possibility that she knows someone that knows me (since I know nothing about her personal life or circle of friends).
She reassured me that it was "normal" (but that wasn't the word she used) to dream about people that are close to you, and that she was an important person in my life. She wondered if something happened in the previous sessions that left me feeling differently.
Of course she asked why I felt so embarassed to share this dream, why I was reluctant. Since I have a long history with her (going back to my late teens), she shed some insight to why she thought it would be uncomfortable for me.
Okay, I'm rambling now. It was a great session. I couldn't see her, but I could hear her writing down notes today, made me smile. So glad I didn't have to wait to share the dream (another plug for going more often).
Anyone have anymore thoughts? I'd love to hear them. Thanks for giving me the support to tell her.
Annierose
Posted by fallsfall on August 18, 2005, at 19:35:52
In reply to Re: I did it., posted by annierose on August 18, 2005, at 14:31:45
Posted by Dinah on August 18, 2005, at 19:57:07
In reply to Re: I did it., posted by annierose on August 18, 2005, at 14:31:45
I'm glad you told her. It sounds as if it was productive!
I like the way they do that.
This is the end of the thread.
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