I Ran Into My Horrible Ex in My Therapist’s Waiting Room. Help!

My ex-boyfriend and I broke up six months ago. It ended very badly, with a lot of instability and anger. I was so troubled by the experience that I went to therapy for the first time. It was helpful to realize how much of my ex’s criticism of me I had internalized. I hadn’t seen him since we broke up until yesterday. I was sitting in my therapist’s waiting room when he walked in with what I assumed was his new girlfriend. I pretended not to see him, but as soon as he saw me he left. The experience was both surprising and frustrating. Not only has he moved on quickly, but he’s already in couples therapy. My question is, how can I avoid conflicts like this in the future? Maybe I don’t have the right to ask you not to come to therapy during my time, but it’s the only time I can arrange.

ex girlfriend

Before you head into that uncomfortable waiting room, take a moment to reflect on all the progress you’ve made. After a bad breakup, you realize you need help and go out and ask for it. You’re exploring how your ex made you feel bad about yourself, and you and your therapist are likely developing strategies to prevent it from happening again. It’s killing me!

But that doesn’t mean setbacks don’t happen from time to time. And meeting your ex-lover for the first time after a bad breakup is virtually guaranteed to be the cause of the breakup. Still, you’re showing maturity in recognizing that it’s not reasonable to tell your ex he can’t sit in the same waiting room as you. (Actually, it’s probably a good thing he’s in therapy, right?)

The best thing is that there is a therapist who can help you with this problem. Consider briefly thanking your ex with a nod or a wave, then return to your phone or magazine. This may help you get into the habit of sitting in the same space as him. My concern is to not emphasize his presence too much. The fact that he has a new girlfriend — if She’s his new girlfriend – don’t say anything about you. Focus on yourself, okay?

Conduct a childcare trial before hiring a professional

My partner and I have a toddler. I make much more money than he does, and my job takes up more time. We both work from home. During my maternity leave, I spent most of my time caring for children. My partner thinks he can take over those duties once I return to work, but he’s worried that won’t be the case. I also want to set boundaries that allow me to continue working even when I’m in close proximity to my baby. I suggested a sitter or day care, but she said she was worried about the cost. How can I talk to him about this without giving the impression that he’s not cut out for the job?