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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by madeline on May 6, 2006, at 19:25:56
It was bound to happen, I don't live in a huge town, and I've been seeing him for years, so well there you have it.
I walked into a restaurant for lunch with a friend on thursday and there he was, big as life, looking right at me.
He smiled the biggest smile and I said "hi! how are you" and then just kept right on walking to my table. I looked at my friend and said "we may have to leave, my therapist is here." Bless his heart, it was his favorite restaurant, but he said "Oh dear, okay let's go".
Well, we didn't leave, but sat there the whole time and tried not to stare at my T. It's so weird to see them "free range" like that.
I used to joke in therapy that if I saw him in public my head would blow up, but it didn't. In fact, I think I am more grateful to him now and feel closer to him now than I ever have.
He's going to keep my secrets. He's going to hold them for me. That man, who sat at that table not 30 feet from me knows my whole history. He knows about my mom, the abuse, the rage - all of it. He's not interrupting my lunch to tell my friend how screwed up I am, or telling everyone in the restaurant that I should be committed. He's just simply sitting there, holding that information and eating his lunch and I was doing the same.
He seems so strong to me now.
It was nice to see him smile that big smile too.
I can't explain it I guess, but it was nice. Very very nice.
Posted by Veracity on May 6, 2006, at 20:15:36
In reply to Well, it happened, I saw my T in public., posted by madeline on May 6, 2006, at 16:24:16
"Free range" is quite possibly the greatest way to describe seeing therapists out in the "open." How wonderfully creative! I love it!
Posted by wishingstar on May 6, 2006, at 20:26:59
In reply to Well, it happened, I saw my T in public., posted by madeline on May 6, 2006, at 16:24:16
madeline, glad your head didnt blow up! but I certainly know the feeling of thinking that it might. I ran into my T at the bookstore a few weeks ago and completely paniced.. but in the end, I also felt more cared about and safer than I had before. I think knowing that they are real people, not some amazing sub-human group called "therapists", helps the most.. at least in my experience.
So glad it went well for you. :)
Posted by sleepygirl on May 6, 2006, at 20:42:39
In reply to Well, it happened, I saw my T in public., posted by madeline on May 6, 2006, at 16:24:16
Posted by gardenergirl on May 7, 2006, at 0:22:27
In reply to Well, it happened, I saw my T in public., posted by madeline on May 6, 2006, at 16:24:16
But it sure feels odd when that happens. Seeing your T in public, I mean. Not the head blowing up. I think that might feel worse than odd.
;)
I'm glad it was okay.
gg
Posted by madeline on May 7, 2006, at 17:16:29
In reply to I'm glad your head didn't blow up :) » madeline, posted by gardenergirl on May 7, 2006, at 0:22:27
I really didn't know how I would handle it. But I think it turned out okay. Somehow safer I think.
It was kind of like observing a new species in its native environment though, very voyeristic I guess.
I am so weird, but I'm still trying to wrap my head around who this guy really is. He just doesn't seem to fit into any of the relationship models that I am used to.
There should be a manual on how to "negotiate the therapeutic relationship without parts of you exploding".
Posted by milly on May 8, 2006, at 15:15:45
In reply to Re: I'm glad your head didn't blow up :), posted by madeline on May 7, 2006, at 17:16:29
me too
milly
Posted by happyflower on May 8, 2006, at 17:17:48
In reply to Re: I'm glad your head didn't blow up :) » madeline, posted by milly on May 8, 2006, at 15:15:45
Hi Madeline,
Well your head is still on, right? lol Have you had your session yet to talk about it? That is always a fun conversation!
My head didn't explode, but I almost tripped over my own feet when I first saw my T when he jogged right by me and then he turned around and looked at me. What a momement!
Posted by madeline on May 8, 2006, at 20:03:14
In reply to Re: I'm glad your head didn't blow up :), posted by happyflower on May 8, 2006, at 17:17:48
I'm really stunned at how positively this all has turned out.
We really cracked each other up today actually. I told him that seeing him there was like observing a new species in its native habitat.
We are both wildlife lovers, so I think he got the humor in it. "Be very quiet, you don't want it to startle and run away". So funny.
I thought he was going to die laughing and his laughing just made me crack up too.But there are several things that just give me the "warmies" on the inside:
He smiled when he saw me in the restaurant. It was a huge smile. He was glad to see me. I asked how anyone could be glad to see me knowing what he knows about me. He says that knowing my story has only made him a better person.
He is alright. I'm not hurting him by laying all this on him. He goes about his business (eating lunch and all)and is fine. He is just fine. I haven't damaged him. I know that seems like a small thing, but for me it was HUGE. He's okay, he can handle it.
He respected me enough not to barge in on me and my friend and introduce himself as my psychiatrist. It's like he held the bond that we have sacred and he's not going to blab it around to everyone. He's going to hold it.
He's just a man, a human being. No stronger, no weaker than your average man. If he can hold my "secrets" then maybe some other man can as well.
I wish I had bumped into him years ago "out in the wilds".
Posted by muffled on May 8, 2006, at 22:46:11
In reply to We talked about it today and laughed and laughed, posted by madeline on May 8, 2006, at 20:03:14
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 9, 2006, at 3:40:05
In reply to Re: Well, it happened, I saw my T in public. » madeline, posted by wishingstar on May 6, 2006, at 20:26:59
> I think knowing that they are real people, not some amazing sub-human group called "therapists", helps the most..
You meant "some amazing human sub-group", right? :-)
Bob
Posted by happyflower on May 9, 2006, at 5:38:51
In reply to Re: therapists, posted by Dr. Bob on May 9, 2006, at 3:40:05
LOL! Somedays, I am not too sure! LOL
Posted by muffled on May 9, 2006, at 9:43:07
In reply to Re: therapists » Dr. Bob, posted by happyflower on May 9, 2006, at 5:38:51
Posted by susan47 on May 14, 2006, at 22:39:54
In reply to Well, it happened, I saw my T in public., posted by madeline on May 6, 2006, at 16:24:16
I rememger, once giving my T a big huge smile, I couldn't help myself. It was the smile of an infant in love, in love with being loved and in love with life. I think that is what they do for us. They hold this hope of love for us when we feel unlovable. It really is very very nice to be loved and accepted by someone who knows you on your own terms.
This is the end of the thread.
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