Yes, you can absolutely discuss your feelings and concerns with your therapist, including your difficulty in expressing emotions and crying in front of them. Therapists are trained to create a safe and supportive environment for their clients to explore and process their emotions.
Feeling a mental block and shutting down in sessions can be common, especially when facing strong emotions. Many people find it challenging to be vulnerable and express their feelings, even in a therapeutic setting. However, it is precisely these emotions that can be essential to explore and work through to make progress in therapy.
A skilled therapist will be understanding and non-judgmental about your struggles with emotional expression. They can help you explore the reasons behind your difficulty in crying or expressing emotions and work with you to overcome any mental blocks.
Here are a few ways a therapist might help you with this issue:
Creating a safe space: The therapist will strive to build a trusting and safe therapeutic relationship, where you feel comfortable expressing your emotions.
Exploring underlying concerns: Together, you and your therapist can explore any past experiences or beliefs that might be contributing to your difficulty in expressing emotions.
Identifying coping mechanisms: Your therapist can help you identify healthier coping strategies to replace dissociation and emotional shutdown.
Gradual exposure: Your therapist may work with you to slowly and gradually approach emotions, giving you time to build your emotional tolerance.
Emotional regulation techniques: They can teach you techniques to manage overwhelming emotions and avoid feeling out of control.
Use of creative therapies: Some therapists use creative therapies like art, music, or writing to help clients access and express emotions they may find difficult to verbalize.
Remember that therapy is a collaborative process, and your therapist is there to support you through your challenges. Openly discussing your difficulties with emotional expression can be a crucial step in your therapeutic journey.