Wanting to schedule extra sessions with your therapist because you miss her does not necessarily mean you are becoming too dependent on her. It's natural to develop feelings of attachment and appreciation for someone who is providing you with support, understanding, and guidance during therapy. However, it is essential to be mindful of your motivations and feelings to ensure that therapy remains a healthy and effective process for you.
Here are a few things to consider:
Recognize Your Feelings: It's okay to miss your therapist or to feel a sense of comfort and connection during your sessions. Acknowledge and explore these feelings with your therapist during your regular sessions. Open communication is essential in the therapeutic relationship.
Evaluate Your Needs: Reflect on why you want extra sessions. Are there specific issues or concerns that you feel need immediate attention? If so, it might be appropriate to discuss scheduling additional sessions to address those particular needs.
Explore Coping Strategies: If you find that your desire for extra sessions is mainly due to missing your therapist, consider exploring coping strategies that can help you manage these feelings between sessions. Engaging in self-care activities, journaling, or reaching out to a support network can be helpful.
Monitor Progress: Regular therapy sessions are designed to provide consistent support and progress over time. Ensure that scheduling extra sessions aligns with your overall therapy goals and doesn't disrupt the natural therapeutic process.
Discuss with Your Therapist: If you are uncertain about your feelings or have concerns about dependency, discuss them openly with your therapist. A skilled therapist will help you navigate these emotions and provide appropriate guidance.
Set Boundaries: While it's essential to be open and honest in therapy, setting boundaries around the frequency of sessions can be beneficial for maintaining a balanced therapeutic relationship.
Ultimately, the goal of therapy is to empower you to develop coping skills and emotional resilience to manage life's challenges effectively. It's normal to form a bond with your therapist, but the therapeutic relationship should primarily focus on your growth and well-being.
If you find that your feelings of dependency or attachment to your therapist are significantly impacting your daily life or hindering your progress in therapy, it may be helpful to explore these feelings further with your therapist or consider seeking additional support to work through these emotions.