(((@Beautiful life))) Your posts bring tears to my eyes. God bless you for doing the hard work to see a therapist, find a group or groups, and take each step to sort through this process. It isn't easy... but it's a perfect example of those things worth doing not always being easy. You might want to ask your therapist if she recommends sharing details here on the forums. You're new to therapy, your heart is tender, your emotions are raw... our comments and opinions might be helpful, but might not be helpful, even though we have the best of intentions and want only good things for you. I wanted to add something I posted on another thread -- in my many years of therapy I've learned sometimes we think we want a therapist who always agrees with us and comforts us... and we might feel an inclination to dismiss or discredit a counselor who tells us things we don't want to hear. Useful therapy often is uncomfortable and difficult, certainly not always comfy or warm and fuzzy. Now and then a good therapist has to tell us things that are hard to hear and assimilate. So, please know this is normal and part of the learning and healing process. In my experience, a good therapist also sometimes gives us "homework," suggests helpful reading or tasks, and might direct us to specific groups that would help us in our journey.
I suggest using a small notebook for your therapy sessions. If things come to mind during the days before an appointment, try to jot those down and take with you to each visit because they won't always come to mind otherwise. Also, immediately after the appointment I learned to find a quiet place (even if it was in my car before driving away) to make a few brief, quick notes about what I learned or what I wanted to follow up on. We think we'll remember, but our memories don't always work well -- especially when we're dealing with grief, depression, or anxiety. It's a dark irony... at the very time we need to be able to listen and concentrate, our mind is unsettled and uncooperative.
I know, in my heart, that this is going to be worthwhile for you. You are strong and brave. You deserve joy, peace, and comfort and you will find them. You're in my prayers, (((Firestripes))). Please take good care of yourself.❤️
Few things reveal your intellect and your generosity of spirit—the parallel powers of your heart and mind—better than how you give feedback.~Maria Popova
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