Thanks, Elsewhere. T was definitely off her game. She wasn't crying because of me (I should have mentioned that before), but because the previous client triggered some of her own issues. Or so she told me. That started us off on the wrong foot and I suppose the resulting conflict with me did not help anything. Yes, this may have been technically unprofessional, but we're all human and I know she can and often has provided better therapy than this!

I suppose I'm turning the blame on myself because I feel I could have responded more gracefully. It bothers me a lot when I feel like I'm relationally misattuned. . . I know, I know, she is the T, but this fact remains. I also think my pre-existent irritation, the one I wrote about here originally, may have contributed to precipitating the conflict. I suppose that's one more reason why it really is good to clear these little things when they come up rather than letting them fester. What a mess.

However, I believe this will blow over. T apologized during the session, as I left the office, and again this morning via email, so if anything, she is taking it more to heart and taking more responsibility than I am. I think it will be okay. But thank you for writing and for expressing concern. A little indignation on my behalf is consoling, I cannot tell a lie.