Your guts are amazing! You are 1 of under 10 writers for whom I’ve created your own folder to save the emails that arrive, that I read on a large monitor. This post of yours is so touching, of course its ridiculous to compare to all your others posts, as the matrix is the matrix. I’m so heartened that your former therapist is willing to remain in contact! I’m currently engrossed in re-reading mythology, and Psyche and Eros and Psyche’s Knife author Elizabeth Eowyn Nelson is coming to Santa fe for CEUS in the fall. I’m blathering away, which muffles tears of appreciation for you sharing such authenticity. I’ve noted you started posting May 30, and I’ve only started receiving since 7/22 - so I have some catching up to do. Your clients are very fortunate to have you. With deep admiration and appreciation for what you bring to our profession. Georgena Felicia, LPCC
Oh my God. I don't even know how to respond to this, but I can tell you that I am in tears. I had the hardest time hitting publish on today's post, sharing these parts of myself I've worked so hard to keep buried. Thank you for seeing that. Thank you for speaking up. And thank you for showing up. I can't even begin to convey what this means to me.
This is such a great piece! Very authentic! Thank you! I also want to share one of my articles. While I am not a Therapist, I am a psychologist so I can relate to your story. I also love how you used the perfume as a the "trace!"
I love hearing that, thank you for sharing. It is such a strange relationship, but also such a beautiful one. I love that. I get to experience it from both sides of the room. It is equally powerful in both directions.
Yes, it is very confusing to me because I am so attached to her, it definitely feels very scary to be that vulnerable with someone. We have never met in person, only Telehealth for almost 2 years now. I always wish I could hug her! We are making huge progress even though it is very slow going. I wish I could explain to her how important to me she is. Maybe she just knows…
Of course, I don't know your particular relationship with her, but I bet she has an inkling. As a patient, I can say it has only felt connecting when I have shared my feelings in the room. Sometimes it is so hard to do. It takes my breath away, but I most certainly have never regretted it.
I have done that… I even said the L word 😳 but of course I don’t think she can say it back as the therapist…. But I think she does care about me a lot. It would be nice to hear it though esp. since we can’t hug or even shake hands- being all virtual. As a therapist yourself is that true?
I have never said I love you to a patient and it would have to be a very unique circumstance for me to consider that. The therapist/patient relationship is unique and perhaps lopsided, but I can tell you that I feel love for the people I work with, absolutely. It's a different love than what I have with people that aren't my patients, but it is just as real.
The best therapists always leave a trace. I look forward to meeting with my therapist twice a month. It's like meeting with one of the few people that truly gets me.
Thanks for sharing your vulnerability. I think it probably makes you dang good at what you do.
Also worth a restack!
This is so vulnerable and beautiful.
Thank you!
I love the concept of leaving a trace. An impact that lingers.
Your guts are amazing! You are 1 of under 10 writers for whom I’ve created your own folder to save the emails that arrive, that I read on a large monitor. This post of yours is so touching, of course its ridiculous to compare to all your others posts, as the matrix is the matrix. I’m so heartened that your former therapist is willing to remain in contact! I’m currently engrossed in re-reading mythology, and Psyche and Eros and Psyche’s Knife author Elizabeth Eowyn Nelson is coming to Santa fe for CEUS in the fall. I’m blathering away, which muffles tears of appreciation for you sharing such authenticity. I’ve noted you started posting May 30, and I’ve only started receiving since 7/22 - so I have some catching up to do. Your clients are very fortunate to have you. With deep admiration and appreciation for what you bring to our profession. Georgena Felicia, LPCC
Oh my God. I don't even know how to respond to this, but I can tell you that I am in tears. I had the hardest time hitting publish on today's post, sharing these parts of myself I've worked so hard to keep buried. Thank you for seeing that. Thank you for speaking up. And thank you for showing up. I can't even begin to convey what this means to me.
https://insidetheforensicmind.substack.com/p/the-lies-memory-tells
This is such a great piece! Very authentic! Thank you! I also want to share one of my articles. While I am not a Therapist, I am a psychologist so I can relate to your story. I also love how you used the perfume as a the "trace!"
Thank you and thank you for leaving that article here, it is so thought-provoking and well written.
This is so amazing to read and validating to how I feel about my therapist!
I love hearing that, thank you for sharing. It is such a strange relationship, but also such a beautiful one. I love that. I get to experience it from both sides of the room. It is equally powerful in both directions.
Yes, it is very confusing to me because I am so attached to her, it definitely feels very scary to be that vulnerable with someone. We have never met in person, only Telehealth for almost 2 years now. I always wish I could hug her! We are making huge progress even though it is very slow going. I wish I could explain to her how important to me she is. Maybe she just knows…
Of course, I don't know your particular relationship with her, but I bet she has an inkling. As a patient, I can say it has only felt connecting when I have shared my feelings in the room. Sometimes it is so hard to do. It takes my breath away, but I most certainly have never regretted it.
To be truly listened to and to be seen is unbelievably powerful. I'm glad you are getting that in therapy, many people do not.
I have done that… I even said the L word 😳 but of course I don’t think she can say it back as the therapist…. But I think she does care about me a lot. It would be nice to hear it though esp. since we can’t hug or even shake hands- being all virtual. As a therapist yourself is that true?
I have never said I love you to a patient and it would have to be a very unique circumstance for me to consider that. The therapist/patient relationship is unique and perhaps lopsided, but I can tell you that I feel love for the people I work with, absolutely. It's a different love than what I have with people that aren't my patients, but it is just as real.
The best therapists always leave a trace. I look forward to meeting with my therapist twice a month. It's like meeting with one of the few people that truly gets me.
Thanks for sharing your vulnerability. I think it probably makes you dang good at what you do.
Thank you for this. And I'm glad you've found someone makes you feel seen. It can make such a difference.