Posted by gardenergirl on April 17, 2005, at 2:34:25
In reply to Re: And here's what he said on this subject » Susan47, posted by Dinah on April 16, 2005, at 19:43:11
For a T to be able to emotionally hold, I tend to think it is one of those things that you have to already have, at least in part, in your character...like empathy. I have heard some say that empathy can be taught. I tend to disagree. I think someone can be taught to make empathic statements or reactions, but you can't teach a feeling. I think it needs to be there, at least a smidgeon, or it's not authentic. I do think someone's capacity for empathy can be developed, though.
So with emotional holding, I think it's the same. I think a T might have a capacity for it or not, and if they do, they can develop that capacity. I like the energy flow idea. I can tell you that I have been emotionally held by my T (and kicked in the gut last week, but that is another tale). And I have felt as if I were emotinally holding my clients at times. If I indeed was, it's a meaningful and powerful feeling for the T as well.
gg
poster:gardenergirl
thread:481668
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050409/msgs/485359.html