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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 sunnydays on April 20, 2009, at 18:00:39
The time we have sessions is so short and it seems so arbitrary to just go in this one hour a week. What if all the issues happen some other day of the week for me? I don't know. I'm just struggling with the time limits that therapy inevitably has. There's never enough time to talk about everything I want to talk about. My T replied to one of my emails today and said he knows the time restrictions stink and that we'll work to try to use the time we have the way I want to. He does care. But I'm just feeling forlorn right now. I want more time!!
sunnydays
Posted by rskontos on April 20, 2009, at 19:09:29
In reply to time, posted by sunnydays on April 20, 2009, at 18:00:39
SunnyD,
I am sorry you feel this way. I don't have a suggestion, I am lucky my t would give me more time, I don't want it.
It does sound like your t is very caring. Perhaps this is part of your anxiety too. That feeling that you might need to hurry up, need time to do all that you feel is important and then that takes you in another cycle. Just a thought.
Sorry you feel forlorn. patience is so hard to practice isnt it.
rsk
Posted by Suedehead on April 20, 2009, at 20:27:38
In reply to time, posted by sunnydays on April 20, 2009, at 18:00:39
Hi sunnydays,
I'm sorry that you're struggling with this. I feel the same way, though I see my therapist twice a week. Some weeks, I feel fine on the days I see him and terrible on the days I don't, for whatever reason, and I hate that--it makes our sessions seem such a waste. I know that you just can't engineer these things--that things will arise when they arise. But it's still hard. Your T sounds like he understands how frustrating the time constraints can be; it's good that he's acknowledging that you're feeling bad about it, and that he wants to take steps to make things better, even if he can't give you exactly what you want. Try to hang in there.
Posted by Dinah on April 21, 2009, at 7:41:27
In reply to time, posted by sunnydays on April 20, 2009, at 18:00:39
Has it been a problem ever since you cut back on hours? (It's been at least since the beginning of the school year, hasn't it?)
Has something come up recently to make it loom larger?
Sometimes it seems like I could easily go a week or two without seeing him. Other times it feels like once a day wouldn't be enough.
I think it's difficult for them, when they care about a client. Which probably makes it difficult for them to deal with us. It sounds like he's doing as much as he can, under those contraints.
But it still s*cks.
Posted by sassyfrancesca on April 21, 2009, at 10:38:09
In reply to time, posted by sunnydays on April 20, 2009, at 18:00:39
Would he consider giving you more time? My t gives me 1 1/2 hours...sometimes 2 (years ago, occasionally he would give me 3!!)
Sassy
Posted by sunnydays on April 21, 2009, at 13:48:30
In reply to Re: time » sunnydays, posted by sassyfrancesca on April 21, 2009, at 10:38:09
No, he has an appointment or something after my appointment. And he wouldn't give me time for free. He's very good about maintaining the boundaries... the place he works at wouldn't look well upon giving clients more than an hour, either, I don't think. Not that your T did anything wrong, just I know that that's where his boundaries are.
sunnydays
Posted by Dinah on April 21, 2009, at 13:56:20
In reply to Re: time » sassyfrancesca, posted by sunnydays on April 21, 2009, at 13:48:30
From what you said, this is a very stressful time. Longing for your therapist is natural. I got upset at the office the other day, and while I haven't been longing for my therapist in particular lately, I instantly got the strong urge to burrow onto his lap and not let go.
I've been feeling some admiration for your therapist from what you've said about his reaction. It sounds as if he's doing as good a job as anyone could in balancing the maintenance of therapeutic boundaries, while trying to make himself available in what ways he can. (making himself available by phone, etc.) You both sound frustrated, but that's to his credit as well.
I may be remembering entirely incorrectly, but isn't there some concern about whether you'll be able to continue to see him after you graduate? Maybe a concern about whether you'll find a job in the area?
It's such a difficult and stressful time of life. Be kind to yourself, and I hope you are able to find support from as many sources as possible.
Posted by sunnydays on April 21, 2009, at 15:20:59
In reply to Re: time, posted by Dinah on April 21, 2009, at 13:56:20
Not a concern anymore - I'll definitely be staying in the area. The only concern about this point is actually landing the job... :) Thanks for all your kind responses, Dinah (and everyone else, too). It feels better knowing that other people know what I'm talking about. I'm feeling very clingy and needy this week, and it's difficult for me, because I had been quite independent-feeling for a while.
sunnydays
Posted by Dinah on April 21, 2009, at 17:15:26
In reply to Re: time » Dinah, posted by sunnydays on April 21, 2009, at 15:20:59
I certainly can understand that.
It's great that you don't have to worry about losing him though! And maybe once you have your job, you'll be able to arrange to see him more often. (Which may leave you feeling like you don't need to see him as often, sadly enough.)
This is the end of the thread.
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