“I Have to Stop Hurting My Own Feelings”
"I just think I should be warmer. You know the kind of therapist I'm talking about; they wear the waffle cardigan and are affirmative and sweet. They have an adorable cat that accidentally walks into view at the perfect time during a session." I say, leaning forward, chin resting on my hands as I stare into the screen.
"I don't think that's why your patients come to you or stay with you. You're the challenging, get shit done kind of therapist. Don't get me wrong, you have a lot of empathy and compassion, but it seems you don't own the cat; you ARE the cat. Not the purring tucked under the nook of your arm kind of cat, you’re a sassy cat." Dave, my therapist for the last decade, says with a grin.