How I know my therapist is good

1. She extracted relevant information so smoothly and naturally I didn’t even realize how quickly she decided what was important… until afterwards, when I also realized she was exactly right.
2. She asked several questions which made something pop out of my mouth that I didn’t plan to say.
3. After they popped out, I realized they were true.
4. I was so busy rehashing the session in the car on the way home that I missed my exit.
5. While rehashing, I was moved to say things like,”God damn it, no!” And “Why do I keep on accepting the pile of dog crap?” Loudly.
6. She pointed out the very real difference between “calm” and “detached.”
7. She talked about the awful dissonance of responsibility without authority.
8. She didn’t let me self-edit.

I think it helped just to hear someone objective say that, yes, in fact, there is some crazy shit going on, and no, it’s not me. This time, anyway.