Posted by Honore on July 15, 2007, at 0:01:31
In reply to Re: Anyone use/prefer laying on couch? » Honore, posted by OzLand on July 14, 2007, at 23:45:08
Your feelings about the couch make a lot of sense to me, Ozland. Just in terms of familiarity and trust-- comfort and connection-- I completely understand your not wanting to try the couch. I'd be surprised if your new T wouldn't understand and accept that, especially with your history, and the things you've been through.
I always needed to see a T's face in the past. The sense of presence, continuity, and stability-- that he hadn't disappeared, that he wasn't upset or angry-- was extremely important. I can't imagine it would have been anything other than disturbing-- until rather recently, really, when my T and I have reached a much deeper connection and closeness.
Maybe your T is so used to having patients on the couch, that he's somewhat forgotten how dislocating it can be to someone who isn't used to it-- or who has pressing reasons to need more direct contact. And you do hardly know him-- so even if later you'd be interested in it, it's very early to test it out.
I'm sure you know how important it is to establish that he won't pressure you to do things you don't want to-- that he can adapt to your limits; I hope he can in a way that makes it easy for you to feel as if you don't have to fight for safety.
Honore
poster:Honore
thread:769441
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20070714/msgs/769631.html