At Appointed Time, Patient arrived. The Duo seemed a bit lost about where to Start and what to Expect. Stretched session from 20 to 40 minutes is like expanding the Canvas of Time. It can feel as if one has moved from Reception room to a big Living Room, and searching for composure and comfort. The Mind-space fears being more exposed, as if 40 minutes is too long to maintain your Mind-Guards and Defenses. One feels vulnerable, as if too much will be shared, too soon.!
Few Silences later, the Therapist started listening as his Mind-frame had shifted from ‘Tell me everything I need to know’ (Psychiatrist) to ‘What are you ready to tell me’ (Therapist). From here two factors mattered, the patient’s Will and the Therapists Rapport. Therapist was aware that Rapport cannot be earned through Entitlement of Positional Hierarchy or Authority. In his practical experience, Rapport evolved as a result of Attention and Patience with his Patients.
Patient had been comfort shopping before the weekend. she narrated her attempt to clean up the closets and her bedroom which made her feel exhausted and confused. “I gave up. I feel ashamed.” She described how she has been hoarding clothes and other purchases and how she finds it unable to organize and prioritize her home activities. “I can never get rid of the irrelevant stuff at home, and I Procrastinate endlessly. Much like me.” Therapist nodded, “Like you.!” Patient correlated,”Yes, it seems like I become so indecisive at home that simple tasks become complex to execute. My Mind is filled with so many Memories from the Childhood, to the home I grew up in and the…….my mother used to make Life easier for us.” The Therapist noted the Blocking and Deflection in her speech but allowed her to continue. My mother lives in a Nursing home. She has health issues but we meet every week. I keep her updated on everything. She is a very Independent woman.” Along with this last sentence, the Therapist noted a change in her tone of voice and her facial microexpression. He sensed Pride in the Voice but Contempt on the Face.
As Session ended, Therapist wondered whether the simultaneous Dual Expressions of Pride and Contempt conceal any Contradiction of Emotions, their Bonding issues or was this a Signal of Attachment Relation gone Bad.!
Read next; What was the deep seated Memory which caused the Blocking and Deflecting ? What does her Correlation between her Self and her Lifestyle at Home indicate ?
See Also: Blocking ; Deflection ;