Feeling drained

[Alex Gate]

I am currently treating a husband and wife and it is leaving me completely drained. The husband first started coming about five months ago saying that he used the treatments as a 'treat' and then I realised that he had alot of stress going on. He wouldn't say what it was other than it was his wife. I then started treating his wife after christmas. Slowly over the sessions she has let on that she is severely depressed (which I realised) but that she wasn't working and has just started to receive psychiatric help.

I am finding these sessions completely and utterly exhausting. I know about the grounding but I just don't feel as if I am totally prepared for the therapy that the wife is also expecting from me when she comes for a treatment. She was here for two hours last week and I felt so drained afterwards. I don't really know the best way to deal with this. I feel as if I need to give her some time as she doesn't seem to be able to get any elsewhere and she has slowly started to talk to me more - which is what she seems to need.

But I feel so deflated and tired afterwards. I don't really know what any of you can say but if you have any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated. Thanks x

 

[Truth Hurts]

Oh poor you 2 hours is far too long, are you a trained counsellor as well?

 

[LuvInLust]

Hello Bexx

I understand that this poor lady needs real help, but reflexology aside, unless you are a trained counsellor she needs to be seeking counselling or similar help elsewhere. Have you referred her to her GP as a first step? You are a kind person and this is obviously upsetting you, however you cannot always help everyone on all levels and it sounds as though you are way beyond your comfort threshold here. Your professional association will probably be very happy to give you some guidance if you contact them. Please please look after yourself because you are a lovely caring person!

 

[tammythetiger]

Hi - a couple of things occurred to me from your thread. Is their situation stimulating/resonating a similar issue that you've had, that needs looking at? Also you need to do something to recharge yourself - what do you find gives you energy? Being with nature (like a walk in a park)? Comedy? Certain music? Visualisations?

 

[09GFshamika]

Hi there thanks for your kind words. I don't know if I expressed myself properly. No I'm not a therapist atall I meant that I felt as if I had to listen to her when she came last time. It's a strange one really. Yes she has seen her GP - is on antidepressants, sleeping tablets etc etc and she has just started to receive some kind of psychiatric help. SO yes she gets all that. I suppose when you are feeling that down it's all you can think and talk about and just need people to listen to.

I amprobably my own worst enemy really when I think about it. I feel as if I should listen to her but it just ends up getting me down and I don't have the solution. She's not expecting me to have a solution and I don't give her any advice in any shape or form I just listen. I think I need to have the resolve to just say that enough's enough and that I need to get on. I just don't always find it that easy when somebody is obviously really crying out for help as she is. I just feel so sorry for her.

 

[Horoabott]

Amy sorry forgot to add - no there's nothing there that relates to me thank goodness. But the idea about recharging myself is a good one. I think when I wrote the thread I'd had a strange day. I'd had a fantastic morning with a new client who came for a back massage and then wanted an IHm as well - I had this lady who exhausted me and then I picked the kids up who were full of all school activities and then had two clients that evening. I think that I didn't have the time to recharge. But I like that idea and will look into that - thanks.x

 

[Harry P]

Did you mean to say that?

 

[dieadubyihbimseow]

I think I've been in a similar situation to you Bexx. Sometimes I feel such empathy with a soul in distress that it almost hurts. I remind myself that there is only so much I can do for people, and check my boundaries in relationships with clients to make sure I am comfortable with them.