Posted by 64Bowtie on March 12, 2004, at 12:29:34
I hope all see that I am not arrogantly saying anything about anybody. I stand here with open hands outstretched. Take from me what you want and can.
We go to therapy when and because we feel bad. The responsible Therapists work diligently to improve our separate situations, yet they only work on our many different feelings.
We say that we want the bad feelings to stop. Medications may help. Talking therapies may help. I feel it all "helps". Many thanks to Dr. Bob; this helps.
We can feel bad on a moments notice. Where therapy can help is being persistant and provide a narrowing of vision so that mmomentary feelings stop ruining our days. With luck, along with time-and-tides, we might start adding logic and reasoning such that we find and try better ways to be.
Any therapist can cause disruptions in the therapy process. I've heard here (and elsewhere) that disruptions are nearly catastrophic. I suggest that client feelings have settled into a lulled state that is in fact what is disrupted. So the therapist is momentarily more trouble than they are worth to the client. If you stand back and look at this paradox, the therapist has only help "drain the swamp". Therapist hasn't built a levee to prevent a "flash-flood" from refilling the swamp (full of bad feelings). I submit that is our job to build stategies for overcoming damage from the "flash-floods" of our own feelings. And, that takes employment of logic, combined with feelings, before the "rainclouds" arrive.
Once we get to the group environment, we can see and test how others have made their way(s). In 12 step parlance, we keep showing up to give "it" back (share with others our exerience, strength, and hope of recovery).
I consider my presence here a two-fold pay-off to me. First, as with (((Dinah))), I do journalling here so I get to put onto 'paper' what's in my head and heart. Second is my willingness to practice giving "it" back.
Again, I hope all see that I am not arrogantly saying anything about anybody. I stand here with open hands outstretched. Take from me what you want and can.
Rod
poster:64Bowtie
thread:323619
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040308/msgs/323619.html