I will add something here I fully admit, when I started seeing some of my StBXH changes over a year ago when he got some serious counseling..
I had very very mixed feelings.. relief, fustration, fear, but a LOT of anger.
Logically I wanted him to make those changes and for himself, not just out of compliance and I tried really hard to be supportive of his efforts, encouraging of his changes, empathetic to the emotional carnage IC does in it's first few sessions.
But emotionally, watching him making those changes after YEARS of me asking in direct & not so direct ways to stop the destructive actions and pleading for changes... the resentment I felt was overwhelming at times & I know at times, it came out as anger...
In statements like "oh wait.. I know what's that's like", lots of sarcasm
in tests of his changes.. by baiting him & pushing his buttons
in stonewalling his requests for communication because of my fear of his not being able to handle hearing what I had to say
I'm not excusing my behaviour, it was not pretty at times.. I tried my best to work through my anger in other ways, but it would come through in a ways I stated above. Even when he didn't deserve it and really was 'different' I know I was testing.
Just something to think about.
Divorced 03/2010 Mom to two amazing kids
Taking the road less traveled because those encountered on the way may be just as unique.