Therapy without talking about trauma details

I’m glad you’ve got something that helps. Sometimes a good cry can just be really helpful when you’ve got to bottle everything up to “keep the peace”. I’ve heard that bilateral and rhythmic movements can help with self soothing.

Really nice to meet you all ^_^

And thanks, @tacocat ! I'll consider doing an intro post soon

@Spirit_Healer @creative_writer I'm also a person of colour from a collectivist culture so can relate to your points above. A lot of it has manifested in terms of excessive guilt and responsibility I've taken on, and through therapy I've been unpacking all the different beliefs and things that were projected onto me so I can understand where it comes from, but it's so hard to resolve in terms of my choices and actions now.

It does sound like if things currently aren't working for you it's a good reason to try and find someone new. And ideally to be able to communicate with the therapist about what's helpful for you, but it is really hard to advocate for ourselves. I remember how much despair I felt during that period when things weren't working with my previous psych shortly after my traumatic event and the PTSD symptoms were persisting.

That's great a few sessions of EMDR helped you in the past -- do you think you would like to do more processing?

If it's helpful to know, I've got what we'd generally call single incident PTSD but with symptoms that are related to pre-existing / attachment related trauma, and have now been doing EMDR for about a year (not necessarily every session), so being able to do it longer term can help to unravel things.

And there was a specific instance when my psychologist reminded me that there isn't heaps of detail that she needs in order for us to start processing a memory.

I really hope things work out for you

Thank you, @IceSkater , your description of your experience gives me hope!

@creative_writer Sending hugs, I totally feel that with the wondering what my family would think. It’s hard when we have to erase parts of ourselves around them all the time – I’ve moved out of home but still feel pressured to visit a lot, and when I’m around in my parents’ place. Also, the way western psychology talks about boundaries is really challenging because I might have internal boundaries but then in family situations they get overstepped all the time and then there’s not much I can do about it.

Yeah, what I find challenging about PTSD is how much it affects my ability to live / be in the present which is another reason talking about details over and over in the past can be unhelpful.

Hi there @IceSkater @creative_writer ,

Great to see you.

@Spirit_Healer Hi, you have been doing it tough. Hope 2025 is a big turning point for u

Hey hun @creative_writer , I hear you. I feel a bit that way in terms of needing emotional relief. What works for you? At the moment, I'm connecting with members on the forums, but I also question, is it just a distraction, and the tears come later? IDK.

I'm here if you need a chat.

@Just , so good to hear from you. I look forward to hearing how you go this year 🙂