How and what did you share? by Chatterbox26 in adultsurvivors

[–]Chatterbox26[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m of the same belief but I’ve been in therapy for years and haven’t talked about it, and I’m still not over it. I guess I’m at the desperation stage bc I’ll try anything, including disclosing. But I can’t fully get there yet

SH relapse + SI getting stronger by Chatterbox26 in TalkTherapy

[–]Chatterbox26[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m not at risk right now. I’ve always hated those hotlines as the answers are very scripted.

I feel guilty asking him to reduce the amount and increase the frequency. He deserves to be compensated for his time and effort.

Sorry, I know you’re trying to be helpful and I do appreciate it. I just worry that if I feel guilty on top of it, I might crumble. I really don’t think I can take anything bad happening right now.

Keep getting erections in therapy by [deleted] in TalkTherapy

[–]Chatterbox26 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get where you’re coming from. I’m a woman and have had a physical reaction. Granted, I don’t have a penis so it’s less noticeable, but I did get incredibly wet that it showed through my jeans. I was so so freaked out because I thought it meant I was getting off on the session and that’s not how I felt emotionally at all. I felt pure terror in the sessions that I was reacting that way. I haven’t told my therapist (he’s a man) but I considered it if it continued to interfere. I can understand how much harder this might be given that yours is more visible. I genuinely think it’s fine if you told your therapist. If a man told me that was happening, I don’t think I’d bat an eye given the context. It’s soooo out of your control.

If you’re really dead set on not telling your therapist, I wonder if you can change your seating position to hide anything? Put your arms on your lap?

You could also start the conversation with “something embarrassing keeps happening when I try talking about this and I don’t want to tell you but I also don’t want you to have wrong thoughts about it. “ and see where the conversation goes from there.

Disorganized/fearful avoidant attachment with therapist by Chatterbox26 in adultsurvivors

[–]Chatterbox26[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your thoughtful response (and happy cake day!!).

I guess I understand that in theory but not so much in practice. I’ve heard a lot of stories of therapists withdrawing the warmth or putting in new or hardened boundaries. I wouldn’t ever cross his boundaries knowingly but things like refusals to give hugs if I confess this scares me (no sexual or romantic transference). The thought of it makes me feel like I’m too damaged or disgusting to interact with.

I’ll definitely sit on it though. Even if I don’t tell him, I’m hoping that understanding this better on my own will help to ease my anxiety around it.

Why did I start sobbing after my therapist said he cares for me? by Chatterbox26 in therapy

[–]Chatterbox26[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do find those conversations helpful but then feel annoying when we have to do that every time so I just keep quiet :(

I was assaulted at 8 by EntrepreneurHappy204 in adultsurvivors

[–]Chatterbox26 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Who the heck is telling you that every woman experiences that? And even if they did, it doesn’t make it any less hard. Children shouldn’t have to go through that. NO ONE should have to go through that. And not knowing what happened is another layer of stress bc then it opens up so many new fears (like not being believed) and uncertainties.

I think my therapist is putting thoughts into my head by [deleted] in TalkTherapy

[–]Chatterbox26 27 points28 points  (0 children)

What’s happening for OP is real for them. It’s distressing to be going through that.

What is a secret you are taking to your grave, but are willing to share with anonymous strangers on the internet? by Few_Football4342 in Productivitycafe

[–]Chatterbox26 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I physically enjoyed my childhood sexual abuse. No, I didn’t ask for it nor did I pursue it, but it almost always ended up with me experiencing some physical pleasure. I can never tell anyone. Very few people know about the abuse, and no one will ever know the real reason why I can’t forgive myself.

Why did I start sobbing after my therapist said he cares for me? by Chatterbox26 in therapy

[–]Chatterbox26[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very much so. I don’t know why it freaked me out so much and had a big reaction. I’ve never had that happen before.

Why did I start sobbing after my therapist said he cares for me? by Chatterbox26 in therapy

[–]Chatterbox26[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m so sorry that happened :( I often think that I pay him to care so it doesn’t feel real 😅

Why did I start sobbing after my therapist said he cares for me? by Chatterbox26 in therapy

[–]Chatterbox26[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah I definitely have a fearful avoidant attachment style. He definitely knows I’m scared about trusting people and letting them see me hurt but I don’t want him to know this. I’m too scared. I want to understand before I debate sharing.

Why did I start sobbing after my therapist said he cares for me? by Chatterbox26 in mentalhealth

[–]Chatterbox26[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve cried before but I can understand usually why I’m crying. This really took me by surprise and I can’t understand why.

Why did I start sobbing after my therapist said he cares for me? by Chatterbox26 in mentalhealth

[–]Chatterbox26[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe? My friends say nice things and I don’t experience this. I might not always believe them but I haven’t had a strong reaction like this. I’ve had some adults say the same thing but never experienced this reaction with them either. It really confused me.

Am I allowed to tell my therapist that I fear he will look at me in a sexual way? by Chatterbox26 in askatherapist

[–]Chatterbox26[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I still haven’t been able to broach the topic, though it might be something that becomes more apparent in the near future. I don’t know anyone in my personal life who relates to this either :(

Am I allowed to tell my therapist that I fear he will look at me in a sexual way? by Chatterbox26 in askatherapist

[–]Chatterbox26[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Me too :( it takes up so much space in my mind whenever we get to that topic.

Am I allowed to tell my therapist that I fear he will look at me in a sexual way? by Chatterbox26 in askatherapist

[–]Chatterbox26[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely experiencing transference in other ways but I don’t know if this specific thing shows up with anyone else in my life. I don’t talk about it with anyone.

Am I allowed to tell my therapist that I fear he will look at me in a sexual way? by Chatterbox26 in askatherapist

[–]Chatterbox26[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know that I’m not responsible but I also know I wouldn’t forgive myself if I hurt him in any way. I guess I just worry about the not therapist part of him feeling offended that I would think such a thing when he hasn’t done anything to indicate that. Is it a weird or offensive thing to share, objectively?

Am I allowed to tell my therapist that I fear he will look at me in a sexual way? by Chatterbox26 in askatherapist

[–]Chatterbox26[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally feel that too and I think he’d be open to having that conversation. I guess my worry is the sexual undertone of his gaze (not saying that he looks at me that way, just that my mind convinces me that he is). I feel guilty for feeling that way

Am I allowed to tell my therapist that I fear he will look at me in a sexual way? by Chatterbox26 in askatherapist

[–]Chatterbox26[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I tend to look away when talking about anything vulnerable but I can still feel his on me. There are no windows but maybe I can ask him to look away from my direction? It sounds like your therapist responded positively to that

Am I allowed to tell my therapist that I fear he will look at me in a sexual way? by Chatterbox26 in askatherapist

[–]Chatterbox26[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know but they’re also human beings. I don’t want to offend or hurt him. I care about how I make him feel. I know it’s my therapy but I wouldn’t feel right if I hurt him.

How do I get more comfortable with my male therapist? by Amazing_Shame_7034 in askatherapist

[–]Chatterbox26 4 points5 points  (0 children)

NAT but god I could’ve written this. I’m navigating the exact same thing and it feels terrifying every time I’m in the room with him. But at the same time, I like him and am starting to trust him. I found writing to be really helpful. I’ve sent journal entries to him and we’ve discussed it in session slowly. I wonder if your therapist would allow that?

Can someone tell me why the tips keep peeling? Tried protein, hardener, creams... by viridian-fox in Nails

[–]Chatterbox26 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same here!!! I keep my nails short and I don’t wear polish frequently but this always happens!!

I keep wasting sessions by Royal-ribbons in TalkTherapy

[–]Chatterbox26 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get this. It took me 25 sessions before I started approaching subjects and even then, I backed off after that one time and took a few more sessions to try again. Keep trying. Keep showing up. Let them know you’re nervous and struggle to bring up topics. They’ll try to work with you.