Feeling hesitant or anxious about sharing your thoughts on how you would feel when therapy ends is not uncommon. Many people experience these emotions for various reasons:
Vulnerability: Sharing emotions related to therapy ending can make you feel vulnerable. Opening up about your feelings may expose deep-seated emotions or fears, which can be challenging to discuss.
Fear of Judgment: You might worry that your psychotherapist will judge your feelings or find them insignificant. This fear of being judged can deter you from expressing yourself fully.
Emotional Attachment: Over the course of therapy, you may have developed a strong emotional bond with your psychotherapist. The idea of therapy ending might evoke feelings of loss or separation, making it harder to discuss openly.
Fear of Rejection: Expressing your emotions and concerns about therapy ending may trigger a fear of rejection or abandonment. You might worry that your therapist won't understand or validate your feelings.
Fear of Being Misunderstood: Concerns about your explanation sounding "cheesy" or "dramatic" might arise from a fear of being misunderstood or not taken seriously.
Past Experiences: Past experiences of not feeling heard or validated when expressing emotions can influence your willingness to share your feelings openly.
Endings Can Be Difficult: Endings, in general, can be challenging and evoke various emotions. Therapy ending represents the conclusion of a significant phase, which can be emotionally charged.
To overcome these barriers and share your thoughts more comfortably:
Trust the Therapeutic Relationship: Remind yourself of the trusting relationship you have built with your psychotherapist. Trusting that they will listen and understand can make it easier to share your emotions.
Acknowledge the Difficulty: Let your therapist know that it's hard for you to discuss your feelings about therapy ending. Acknowledging the difficulty can create a safe space for the conversation.
Be Honest: Emphasize that you fear sounding "cheesy" or "dramatic" but assure your therapist that you want to be honest about your emotions.
Explore the Fears: If you're comfortable, discuss the reasons behind your fears of expressing your feelings. Understanding these fears can help your therapist support you better.
Remember the Therapeutic Process: Therapy is a space to explore your emotions and thoughts without judgment. Your therapist is there to support you, regardless of how your feelings may be perceived.
Take Your Time: You don't have to rush into sharing your thoughts. Take your time to reflect and express yourself when you feel ready.
Write It Down: If verbalizing your feelings feels challenging, consider writing a letter or journal entry expressing your emotions. You can choose to share this with your therapist if you wish.
Remember, therapists are trained to help clients navigate difficult emotions and endings in therapy. They understand that these feelings are valid and important. By sharing your emotions openly, you can gain deeper insights into your feelings about therapy ending and work together with your therapist to process them effectively.