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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by wittgensteinz on January 24, 2009, at 17:56:56
Assuming there are such things?! I'll need to have a think about mine.
I hope you don't mind Dinah, but it seemed the next obvious question to ask!
Witti
Posted by Dinah on January 24, 2009, at 18:30:30
In reply to Favourite words/phrases from therapists?, posted by wittgensteinz on January 24, 2009, at 17:56:56
I think it's a great idea!
My favorite two are easy.
"Everything is going to be ok." I call him up sometimes to hear him say that. And if he doesn't say it "right" I stamp my foot and ask him to say it again. He's promised to try to teach me how to say it.
"Call if you need to." I don't remember for sure if this started when he was out of town a lot, or what. But I would ask him at the end of each session if I could call him if I needed to. Now it's part of the ending ritual and rituals are very important to me. He usually says it himself. If he doesn't, I ask. If we both forget, I turn back and stand in his doorway with a grin, and he grins back and says it. Once recently I forgot even that and called to ask him. So if it hasn't been erased it's currently on my answerign machine. He varies it too. If he's going to be out of town or otherwise occupied, he'll add that it might take him a while to return my call (insert appropriate expectations) but he wants me to call him if I need to.
Hmmm... the others may come to me.
"I know" said in a warm and amused tone hits both lists. If I'm trying to get him to take something seriously, it seems like an acceptance of the status quo. But other times it seems like an acceptance of me.
Posted by DAisym on January 24, 2009, at 19:40:25
In reply to Re: Favourite words/phrases from therapists?, posted by Dinah on January 24, 2009, at 18:30:30
"Therapy is a spiral..." :) He has this whole speech about how we go round and round the same things in therapy. I used to hate it but now it makes me smile because he so truly believes it.
"You know you can call me or write to me." I love that he still says it even after all this time.
"What?" Now you have to imagine him, head cocked a little sideways, a tiny bit defensive, a tiny bit curious - it always pushes me to say what I'm thinking - because obviously something is written on my face. I like that he reads me.
And something new, "Hey, its me" when he leaves a message. I'm glad he knows I know his voice.
Posted by Phillipa on January 25, 2009, at 0:08:33
In reply to Re: Favourite words/phrases from therapists?, posted by DAisym on January 24, 2009, at 19:40:25
Hmmmmmm both therapists and pdocs. Love Phillipa
Posted by raisinb on January 25, 2009, at 0:36:16
In reply to Favourite words/phrases from therapists?, posted by wittgensteinz on January 24, 2009, at 17:56:56
There are lots of those, too.
"I wish I could give you a hug."
"I can't promise that I won't hurt you, but I can tell you that I want to be with you."
"You are the last person I wanted to cancel on."
"Do you like that about yourself? You should."
"There's a reason we're together."
"You and I have so much history together."
"When we connect, it is very powerful for me."
"Sometimes I feel like your intellect doesn't help you."
"I care about you very much."
"Raisin, please call me if you need me."
"I think I'd be devastated if you didn't come back."
"I just called to let you know I'm thinking about you."
"I'm worried about you."
"I never get bored with you!"
"I will be back and I will miss you."
Posted by wittgensteinz on January 25, 2009, at 4:20:58
In reply to Re: Favourite words/phrases from therapists? » wittgensteinz, posted by raisinb on January 25, 2009, at 0:36:16
I started this thread just before going to bed last night so now I have slept on it I can write my reply.
1. "No, absolutely not true. I have NEVER once thought that about you." This may seem an odd choice but this sentence comes as a big relief when I get into one of my negative cycles and am certain he must 'hate' me or be livid with me or find me stupid.
2. I like it when he says something very validating at an unexpected moment. For example, maybe a few weeks earlier I've shared something very difficult and at the time I wasn't sure whether he really was taking it in or understanding and then a few sessions later he'll casually say something that really shows a great understanding and empathy. Quite often I'll say something implicitly and later he'll say it explicitly and then I feel reassured we are on the same page.
3. "I wish I could give you a bottle of trust to drink" - I think this could get annoying if he says it too often but on both occasions he's said it until now it seemed very sweet to me.
4. When he says something to the effect of "no I won't abandon you" - he's never said it in in those words exactly - he's said in many different ways but the meaning of course is the same.
Witti
Posted by obsidian on January 25, 2009, at 11:46:16
In reply to Re: Favourite words/phrases from therapists?, posted by wittgensteinz on January 25, 2009, at 4:20:58
the "no, I don't hate you" is especially helpful
there's a lot of things that are helpful, but witti reminded me of that one
Posted by seldomseen on January 25, 2009, at 12:21:01
In reply to Favourite words/phrases from therapists?, posted by wittgensteinz on January 24, 2009, at 17:56:56
I like it when my therapist says:
He's not afraid of anything that I have to say. It feels like he is superman or something.
"thank you for letting me be with you"
"i'm here if you need me, stay close"
Emphatically agrees with me when i say i am an amazing woman..
I also love it when my therapist laughs (even at his own jokes), insists on shaking my hand even when I'm sick and helps me to decide what to have for dinner (there is an organic market in the same building as his office, and we often discuss what looks good on that day).
Seldom.
Posted by Sigismund on January 25, 2009, at 16:10:41
In reply to Re: Favourite words/phrases from therapists?, posted by obsidian on January 25, 2009, at 11:46:16
Mine said to me
'If only there were a drug'.
Posted by Sigismund on January 25, 2009, at 16:12:23
In reply to Re: Favourite words/phrases from therapists?, posted by wittgensteinz on January 25, 2009, at 4:20:58
And maybe
'can you see that I am crying'.
Posted by Dinah on January 25, 2009, at 16:15:29
In reply to Re: Favourite words/phrases from therapists?, posted by Dinah on January 24, 2009, at 18:30:30
Well, this isn't specific to therapy.
But I always love it when he says what my husband calls those three magic words.
You are right.
Or what my husband calls his five favorite words in the world.
You are right, as usual.
Posted by Dinah on January 25, 2009, at 16:26:03
In reply to Re: Favourite words/phrases from therapists?, posted by Dinah on January 25, 2009, at 16:15:29
> You are right, as usual.
Silly me. I got that wrong. His five favorite words are
You are right, as always.
But I think I prefer "usual". :)
Posted by TherapyGirl on January 25, 2009, at 16:37:54
In reply to Re: Favourite words/phrases from therapists?, posted by Phillipa on January 25, 2009, at 0:08:33
"I know I'm not supposed to say this, but you're special to me."
She also mostly signs her cards to me with "Love" now after going through years of the awkward, Regards and Sincerelys.
Posted by 10derHeart on January 25, 2009, at 17:18:43
In reply to Re: Favourite words/phrases from therapists?, posted by TherapyGirl on January 25, 2009, at 16:37:54
**trigger in the PS**
Mine's only "dared" to go with "Warmly," but I liked that very much. It was different, and felt special enough, that day, that time, I guess.Yeah, I'm really sure about these things...can ya' tell? ;-)
and PS: for you - (((((((TG)))))))) - I feel your pain in the above. I haven't known what to say. I just get a giant pain in my chest when I read your posts. It's so real that this will be endless, though I still maintain that is the Big, Evil Lie of illnesses, physical and mental. But I won't pretend to know another's pain. Please don't make a choice you can't undo. Imagining that - (and remember this is with me not even knowing you) makes me feel like *I'm* dying, right now.... Sounds dramatic or something, but I don't know how else to describe it... I insist you stay safe. Maybe you could consider this the unofficial "Babbler Posters Have to Do Exactly What 10der Says" Day?"Not trying to be funny. I'd try anything to keep a precious person such as you safe.
Posted by Bobby on January 25, 2009, at 21:12:27
In reply to Favourite words/phrases from therapists?, posted by wittgensteinz on January 24, 2009, at 17:56:56
There will be no charge for this session--and I don't think you'll have to see me forever. sorry---I had to throw that in-- therapy perplexes me. I'm sure many people benefit from it.
Posted by no_rose_garden on January 25, 2009, at 22:45:34
In reply to Re: Favourite words/phrases from therapists?, posted by TherapyGirl on January 25, 2009, at 16:37:54
"you were in my thoughts last night"
"if you need me..."
"i don't want you to go either"
"You're an interesting bird, rose"
Posted by movingforward on January 25, 2009, at 22:50:18
In reply to Re: Favourite words/phrases from therapists?, posted by no_rose_garden on January 25, 2009, at 22:45:34
"So what would you like to talk about today?"
"I did get your journal."
"It isn't your fault."
"Life can be painful, but sufferings is optional."
"when would you like to meet again." THis afternoon? LOL
"oh my, is a few minutes past and i have a client that should be waiting!" what the... am i supposed to stop the session????
Posted by no_rose_garden on January 25, 2009, at 23:21:58
In reply to Re: Favourite words/phrases from therapists?, posted by movingforward on January 25, 2009, at 22:50:18
> "when would you like to meet again." THis afternoon? LOLditto!
Posted by poster_child on January 25, 2009, at 23:50:29
In reply to Favourite words/phrases from therapists?, posted by wittgensteinz on January 24, 2009, at 17:56:56
My T always asks me "What are you going to celebrate?" I always reply nothing and glare at him. Something about that question bugs me to no end. He asks me probably once a session anytime I say anything remotely positive.
Posted by backseatdriver on January 26, 2009, at 12:08:23
In reply to Favourite words/phrases from therapists?, posted by wittgensteinz on January 24, 2009, at 17:56:56
"I love this therapy."
Posted by emmanuel98 on January 26, 2009, at 20:23:43
In reply to Re: Favourite words/phrases from therapists?, posted by backseatdriver on January 26, 2009, at 12:08:23
Why are you sad? (If I cry)
You're not f*ck*d up, you just have a hole in your heart.
Posted by emmanuel98 on January 27, 2009, at 21:09:38
In reply to Re: Favourite words/phrases from therapists?, posted by emmanuel98 on January 26, 2009, at 20:23:43
I also love it when he says, you can talk about (whatever). We've talked about difficult things before and it's been alright. You can do this.
Posted by Sigismund on February 1, 2009, at 18:56:30
In reply to Re: Favourite words/phrases from therapists?, posted by emmanuel98 on January 27, 2009, at 21:09:38
This too shall pass.
Posted by JadeKelly on February 6, 2009, at 1:45:33
In reply to Re: Favourite words/phrases from therapists?, posted by Sigismund on February 1, 2009, at 18:56:30
"I used to do body work".
He didn't mean cars.
~Jade
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