I had my final therapy session with AS today. He has helped me a lot and I will definitely miss his “outside looking in” unbiased thoughts on my issues. He helped me re-realize my self-worth and confidence that I had lost since I was a successful, married, home owning woman. I had a “normal” life. I realized that I tied a lot of my self-worth to being a talented and gifted feline RVT.
AS helped me set some boundaries (even when I didn’t realize it). For example, I set a time boundary with my fiance. He has issues saying no to people in his household. Our time is often sacrificed for him to do for others. I set a verbal boundary for Dad primarily. “I am not available to speak to you if you are being insulting, manipulative, or any gaslighting behavior.” And the physical boundary I set “I will not scoop any litter box that has been used by a human.”(see earlier post titled “Here’s me” where I discuss inappropriate human urination)
Lastly, we discussed my fear of black trucks. I was struck as a pedestrian by a black truck in February of 2024. We discussed exposure therapy, the gradual exposure to something you are afraid of. AS suggested when I see a black pickup to talk to it, to touch it. Even hug it. To which I replied “Are you trying to get me arrested?”
Picture me in some parking lot going to the black pickup trucks only, talking to them (psych ward), touching and hugging (jail). I’m sure that neither the owners of the vehicles, nor the police would appreciate that behavior.
That sums up my final therapy session. For now anyways.
