Posted by Dinah on June 29, 2004, at 19:29:40
In reply to Reading your Therapist's signals, posted by DaisyM on June 29, 2004, at 18:57:37
I think I'm good at reading his signals. I'm good at reading every change of mood. I'm good at knowing how he's reacting.
And I tell myself that I'm good at not molding myself to fit his needs, that I'm good at calling him on his reactions, that I feel comfortable with him to say "I know this will probably annoy you, but...". And heaven only knows I make him frustrated/angry enough to have feedback that I'm *not* trying to conform to his expectations. :)
But I wonder if I'm fooling myself about that. If maybe that's true for the little things, but if there aren't other, overarching, issues where I try to anticipate his reaction and not cause him displeasure.
Or maybe not, because I really am finally sure that he won't terminate me unless he moves or retires.
Hard to say. It's a relationship, and as in most relationships there are a lot of layers and a fair amount of interplay and dance to it. I work hard at making it work, while also keeping my behavior authentic. But I do think there are times when I might keep a session really light after a few contentious or emotional sessions more because I think he needs a break than because I do - to keep the relationship functioning at optimum. But maybe I'm wrong.
poster:Dinah
thread:361747
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040624/msgs/361758.html