Incest Survivors Support Group
Incest refers to any sexual activity between closely related persons that is illegal or socially taboo. Consensual adult incest is very rare. Incest between adults and prepubescent or adolescent children is a form of child sexual abuse that has been shown to be one of the most extreme forms of childhood trauma. If you or a loved one is a survivor of incest, join the group...
So I went to my first therapy session yesterday and naturally Im feeling a bit upset. I get the feeling that this experience is going to be a difficult one. She seems to think it is best to reach inside stir up all my trauma, piss me off, have me feel all those painful emotions
I do feel my emotions; thats why I went to her; I want to change my behavior; my response to these emotions. Ive been pissed off, Ive screamed at the sky and Ive tried rivers of tears. I felt depressed all the time in my adolescent years When is enough enough?
I want to heal, but Im just not sure that opening the wound back up and inviting painful emotions to pour out is the best medicine. How will I be able to function at work or take care of my family? How does it benefit me to be upset? I want to move on; not let these things continue to hurt me.
I wonder how others feel about these therapy techniques. In the long run, is it helpful? In the short term, isnt it damaging?
I dont recall all of the abuse that happened to me. If I go talk with her and it comes back, is that really a good thing? I cant help but think I was doing better before I remembered what I do remember. My sex life is worse, now, because I remember; sensations bring up uncomfortable feelings. Do I really want to keep digging; isnt it only going to get worse?
I do feel my emotions; thats why I went to her; I want to change my behavior; my response to these emotions. Ive been pissed off, Ive screamed at the sky and Ive tried rivers of tears. I felt depressed all the time in my adolescent years When is enough enough?
I want to heal, but Im just not sure that opening the wound back up and inviting painful emotions to pour out is the best medicine. How will I be able to function at work or take care of my family? How does it benefit me to be upset? I want to move on; not let these things continue to hurt me.
I wonder how others feel about these therapy techniques. In the long run, is it helpful? In the short term, isnt it damaging?
I dont recall all of the abuse that happened to me. If I go talk with her and it comes back, is that really a good thing? I cant help but think I was doing better before I remembered what I do remember. My sex life is worse, now, because I remember; sensations bring up uncomfortable feelings. Do I really want to keep digging; isnt it only going to get worse?
I would definitely talk to this person about your concerns. I do know from other people, and my own experiences, that during the recovery process, it generally has to get worse before it can get better. Sharing your pain in a safe place and feeling you are heard and respected is very healing but you are right, it is going to be painful. It took me years to be in enough pain to get help. It's been about a year now and I can honestly say its a lot better but different issues come up too. Like an onion really, lots of layers to this. Good luck with whatever your decision is.
I have mixed feelings about this. I had a dog that was severely abused and he would cower around feet. He had obviously been kicked. Sometimes he would just freeze and urinate. Feet meant pain and possibly death, to him.
In my opinion, surrounding him with feet would have killed him. My instincts were to keep him safe.
I would ask your therapist what the goal is of exploring the trauma. If your instincts are telling you this is not right, then I would respect that is correct. Talking about it can cause secondary wounding, in my opinion. ESPECIALLY if you don't feel it's your choice to talk about it.
So, I say ask. Ask her what good this will do you. Ask her why she wants you to remember.
Start with your states board of registry 'IF' this person actually has a legitimate license to practice.
If not, stop and go back to the yellow pages to find another before this one winds up too costly to get away from.
Tom S. in Tn.
If you want to know more, feel free to message me. Take care.
Only you know what you should do but I believe that therapy is a good thing if you can find the right person. A therapist that pushes me to far...will push me right out the door. You are in control of your own healing process. I learned a piece of that today actually. My therapist pissed me off because I was talking about how I was "feeling" and she questioned me about being addicted to the suffering. I was angry then sad then ....after several hours...I was like...OMG she is right.
Therapy is hard work but the payoff is worth it in my opinion. I think you do have to feel it but I love your question...when can it be enough already!