Dear afeels:

Quality therapy should be a slow, gradual process. An overwhelmed patient is likely to exit therapy, so a capable therapist goes slowly, not presenting to the patient/client more than she can endure or handle. A capable therapist teaches the client tools, how to lower anxiety/ regulate emotions so to not get overwhelmed. A couple such tools: guided meditations & Mindfulness exercises(both available online and  in any library/bookstore).

You wrote: “Now I no longer hide all  of me, I sense that no one around me cares  for all  of me”- let’s look a t what you mean by “all  of me”: “my  negativity, my over analyzing, my range of emotions”.

No  one, really, should  be exposed to “all of” anyone, it really is overwhelming to know every thought another feels, every emotion.. this will not allow the listener time to hear/ feel his/ her own thoughts and feelings. So we need to contain our expression of our thoughts and emotions so to not burden  and overwhelm another.

Would you like to share more about your therapy, what happens there in the sessions, how often do you have sessions, does  your therapist give you homework, that is, assignments to  do in between sessions? What input, teaching or guidance does your therapist provide for you?

anita