Re: Therapy Anxiety

[Guest guest]

Tina wrote:

> " About the therapy ... I had made an appointment for us both, and she

> was " thinking about it " and actually seemed curious, but her anxiety

> got the better of her so I didn't push it. I feel like we got a step

> closer to it ... she didn't totally refuse the idea. So that is

> progress. "

>

Hi Tina,

This reminded me of when we first took my son to see a psycholgist. He

was begging for help and wanted to see someone who could help him, but

on the way to the appointment, he started worrying that the

psychologist would be his teacher (long story - creepy teacher who

talked about things that fed the OCD) because the teacher lived in

Nashville and the psychologist's office was in Nashville. I reasoned

with him all the way there by reassuring him that lots of people live

in Nashville (not just his teacher), that the psych may not even live

in Nashville even though he works there, that they have different last

names (both males - probably no relation), etc. This was before I

realized reassurance just doesn't work.

When we got to the office, my son was sitting on pins and needles in

the waiting room, just knowing his teacher was going to walk through

that door any minute. When the door opened, low and behold, the

psychologist was about the same height and had a simliar hair

color/style as the teacher (but the psych was cute and the teacher is

not - but my son didn't see this (LOL) - he only saw the teacher). My

heart just sank, because I knew my son would only see the similarities -

not the differences. As we walked down the hallway behind the

psychologist, my son turned around and mouthed to me, " He looks like

Mr. Z....!!! " I mouthed back, " No he doesn't!!! " As we began to talk

to the psychologist and my son heard and saw some of the differences,

he felt a little better once we left. But, he was nervous again before

we went back - remembering the similarities. It was difficult getting

him to go back, but I continued to point out all the differences in

their physical appearance, their personalities/dispositions, etc., and

after 3 or 4 visits, my ds began to really like this guy and now even

asks to go see him. I guess this was sort of an exposure for my son

(LOL).

My point is, that yes, getting there (therapy) can be anxiety-provoking

for many reasons, but in the end it is a good way to see that our fears

are often unfounded - taking another bite out of OCD. I hope the next

time will be " the time " for you to get started with therapy.