So you just sit there and talk? Does he ever say anything back? I've never done Freudian, so I'm totally clueless. Do you feel it's helpful? The therapist I saw for years was more Jungian, and it was very conversational. He could help me budget and interpret my dreams and tell me I'm full of shit, all in the same session. But that's me.

I just acquired a new client (thank all the PTB, for real) and what sealed his interest in working with me was the word 'proactive.'

Freudian definitely has value, but I've honestly never met a 'happy' participant. It just seems so hard, and long and a bit isolating.

No disrespect to your guy...or your process...Tom.

I'm just smonster as to what works for me.

My therapist would speak during a session--not a lot, but she had a way of finding those moments where I was engaging in unhealthy thought processes and making me aware of them. "You didn't bring it up? Why is that?" It was VERY helpful... although sometimes quite mortifying in the moment. She's in NYC and I beleive is still practicing and is AWESOME, so if you want me give you her name, let me know.

she had a way of finding those moments where I was engaging in unhealthy thought processes and making me aware of them

That's the way my therapist was. It worked really well for me.

Tom, do you think it might be time to interview some other therapists and decide if someone else might work better for you?

We are in Columbus, at our swanky Doubletree (which is not the hotel where the event is), and I am full of Xanax. We stopped at the event hotel to register first, and as a fundraiser for a women's shelter, they were selling ribbons for $1 you can attach to your event badge (like "Top," "Bottom," etc). One of the registration people had a badge ribbon that said "Free Hugs." I checked to see if there was one that said "No Hugs," because I would have bought 10. Alas, they did not exist. (There was one that said "Fire Slut," and I thought it said "TIRE Slut," and I was all, "THAT'S a new fetish!" And then I realized perhaps I need to go to the eye doctor.)

So now we are getting dressed up and headed back for the party. Wish me chill. And a human hamster ball.

Chill ~ma...extra strength!

I hope the Xanax holds and the people are unassy, Tep.

and I thought it said "TIRE Slut,"

Like, for race cars? Because I like Goodyears but, mmm, Pirellis.

All this talk of panic attacks and anxiety is so familiar to me.

I went the self medication with alcohol route for awhile but that doesn't work well for some one who inherited her mother's black-out drunkeness.

Medication has saved my life, and I take a lot of it. I always enter a new situation warily and am very quiet most of the time. I have to wait for others to engage with me because I do not have the gift of being able to talk to just anyone about anything the way one of my sister's and more than one best friend in meat-space can.

It really is a marvel to watch them do it and I so wish I had that. I've learned to smile and nod and say hi, until others strike up more of a conversation with me.

Tom, I have never had good results with Freudians. I did ok with a Jungian who was very patient with my refusal to analyze my dreams.

Tep, I hope you can convince Tim to go and that you both have fun.

eta: Go, Tep with your bad, fabulous self!

My analyst can be like Scrappy's in that he doesn't say much, but can be very insightful.

and I thought it said "TIRE Slut,"

Like, for race cars? Because I like Goodyears but, mmm, Pirellis.

Heh. I have NO idea. Which is why I was so boggled. But there are weirder things, that's for damn sure.