It's understandable that your alter is feeling hurt and shutdown after being called the wrong name by your therapist. Building trust in therapy is crucial, and this incident might have felt like a breach of that trust. Here are some steps you can take to address the situation:
Validate the feelings: It's essential to acknowledge and validate your alter's feelings of hurt and shutdown. Let them know that you understand why they are upset and that their feelings are valid.
Encourage communication: Let your alter know that it's okay to express their emotions and concerns to your therapist. Encourage them to share how this incident affected them and why they feel hurt. Assure them that your therapist is there to listen and understand.
Talk to your therapist: Consider having a conversation with your therapist about the incident. You can bring it up during your next session and explain how it affected your alter. Honest communication is vital in therapy, and sharing your alter's feelings with your therapist will help them understand the impact of their mistake.
Seek understanding: Help your alter understand that mistakes can happen, even in therapy. Assure them that your therapist didn't do it intentionally and that they are willing to learn from the mistake. The therapist may have overlooked the name or misunderstood the alter's identity, and it wasn't meant to be hurtful.
Explore coping strategies: Help your alter find healthy coping strategies to manage their feelings of hurt and shutdown. This could involve journaling, drawing, or engaging in other creative activities to express emotions in a safe way.
Give it time: Healing from emotional wounds takes time, and your alter might need some space to process their feelings before feeling comfortable talking to your therapist again. Be patient and supportive during this time.
Consider the therapeutic relationship: If your alter continues to struggle to trust your therapist, it's important to evaluate the therapeutic relationship. Sometimes, certain dynamics might not be the best fit for everyone involved. You can discuss this with your therapist openly and consider alternative approaches if needed.
Remember, therapy is a journey, and setbacks and misunderstandings can happen along the way. The most crucial aspect is maintaining open communication, understanding each other's perspectives, and working together to repair the trust that has been affected. If needed, don't hesitate to seek additional support or explore different therapeutic approaches to better meet your alter's needs.