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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by madeline on January 2, 2006, at 17:18:24
You know, I've been thinking about this a lot lately and I can't seem to really wrap my brain around the exact role of my psychiatrist in my life.
He's not a friend,
but he's not just a clinician either.
He's not my dad, but he certainly feels like it sometimes.
I don't ever see him outside his office, but he seems to be with me all the time.
I don't know him at all, but he feels like my oldest companion.
What exactly would you call this relationship?
Posted by Larry Hoover on January 2, 2006, at 18:22:39
In reply to what exactly is a therapist anyway?, posted by madeline on January 2, 2006, at 17:18:24
> You know, I've been thinking about this a lot lately and I can't seem to really wrap my brain around the exact role of my psychiatrist in my life.
> He's not a friend,
> but he's not just a clinician either.
> He's not my dad, but he certainly feels like it sometimes.
> I don't ever see him outside his office, but he seems to be with me all the time.
> I don't know him at all, but he feels like my oldest companion.
> What exactly would you call this relationship?Mentor?
Posted by Dinah on January 2, 2006, at 19:38:12
In reply to Re: what exactly is a therapist anyway? » madeline, posted by Larry Hoover on January 2, 2006, at 18:22:39
I think it's a unique relationship that can't really be compared to any other.
Posted by LadyBug on January 2, 2006, at 19:46:01
In reply to therapy, posted by Dinah on January 2, 2006, at 19:38:12
It is a unique relationship that takes place in the four walls of an office, unique as in there is no other relationship like it, can't be. Is it real? I know it is, as far it as goes in those 4 walls!
And the feelings are real too. Does our brain know the difference between what is and what is transference, I don't think so.LadyBug
Posted by crazy teresa on January 2, 2006, at 22:16:25
In reply to what exactly is a therapist anyway?, posted by madeline on January 2, 2006, at 17:18:24
Posted by daisym on January 3, 2006, at 0:30:34
In reply to Re: Therapy: Right On Dinah!!, posted by LadyBug on January 2, 2006, at 19:46:01
I recently told my therapist that I felt bad because I can't contain my feelings within those 4 walls anymore. I can't just walk out and let go of the intensity. I miss him, I think about him and I don't feel 1/2 as safe outside as I do when I'm with him.
He said he would expect no less. That these feelings are so big and powerful they can't be contained within the walls of his office. He was sorry that they are painful at times, but he also hoped that there was a good side to them too. And he said I didn't need to be sorry about not being able to turn them on and off. After all "you aren't a faucet." I told him with all the tears lately I sure felt like one!
I like the idea of a therapist as a guide and a container. As a guide he helps me keep working towards my destination and explains things along the way. As a container, he adds to my ability to keep things together - and helps me hold more than I ever thought possible.
Posted by Declan on January 3, 2006, at 15:15:19
In reply to Re: Therapy: Right On Dinah!!, posted by daisym on January 3, 2006, at 0:30:34
My therapist used to talk about containing feelings a lot.
The thing though was that I wanted to make her into a friend, which wasn't part of the job description. Guide? Mentor? I dunno. (I wanted her to adopt or to otherwise merge with me.)
It was very important to me that I could trust in her basic fairness and honesty.
Declan
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