My last therapist beat around the bush a lot. She was an art therapist and I would draw my feelings, and her big thing was making sure I ACCEPTED my feelings. Which I do, and did. But she never actually taught me how to CHANGE my feelings or DEAL with them. So I didn't learn any life skills. I just drew abstract pictures, lots of elephants (because I like them)...
This therapist charges a lot of money and keeps me focused. At the end each session she gives me something to work on or think about, and each tidbit is life-changing.
Tomorrow is Ed's birthday, so we celebrated early with a trip to Hahatonka Park in the Ozarks. It was a day full of hiking, exploring, hiking, swimming, hiking, eating, and hiking. Really, there wasn't a LOT of hiking, but much more than I was used to. And it was refreshing, and I'm glad we did it. Ed is a good friend, and I imagine I'll miss him quite a bit when he's in California and I'm in Indiana...