Posted by fallsfall on October 29, 2003, at 21:34:22
In reply to Re: Perfect Therapy Patient Club, posted by Poet on October 29, 2003, at 19:15:12
> > We'll need a list of rules -- or at least interpretations of those that break the rules. As in:
>
> > Being on time - What does too early or too late mean?
>
I like to be 10 minutes early. With my old therapist, that gave me time to read through my journalling so I would know what I was supposed to be talking about. With my new one it lets me catch my breath after huffing and puffing up the stairs, have time to write a check, and breathe deeply a little. I'll wait in my car if I'm earlier than that. Once in a great while I'll get stuck by a train or construction. If I didn't have that 10 minute window I would PANIC.
>
> > Dressing for the visit: Do you think about it? If so, what does that mean?
>
I wear blue jeans, old T shirts (no bra) and sandels. When there is snow on the ground I'll have to wear real shoes. I don't do laundry very often, (I'm embarassed to say this...) I try to be sure that I'm not wearing the same shirt two times in a row. There have been times when I haven't washed my hair just because I didn't want him (or even more, her) to think I was doing better.
>
> >What foods are we endorsing for post-therapy consolation: (I vote for cream of wheat :)!
>
Ice cream. If I still feel lousy after that, then I'll nap. If I feel better, I like to swing on swings while I think and process the session.
>
> >What else?
>
> How many times is sneaking a glance at the clock or your watch allowable per session?
>
His clock is usually facing so I can't see it. We are having a little "discussion" about that. I want him to wind down a little before he shoves me out the door. I think he wants me to take responsibility for that. I usually do short topics at the beginning and am into something long at the end, so I don't have to decide whether we have time to talk about something new. I planned my sessions more with my old therapist, so I'd check the clock to make sure I'd have time to get everything in. With him I go with the flow more. I HATE looking at my watch, because I don't think I can do that without him noticing, and I don't want him to know I'm watching the clock.> What about note taking? In order to be perfect I would like to get it down right away and not wait until I get home. (Yes, I really do that- see I'm ready to write that book on therapy.)
>
If I took notes I would not be "present" at all. With my old therapist we talked about taking notes or taping the sessions, because I couldn't remember what we had said. The tape recorder didn't work because we were too far apart. Taking notes would be much to distracting for me.New questions:
How often is it "OK" to call your therapist, After hours? During business hours?
Does your therapist ever make mistakes? What was the worst one? Did you tell them?
Are you jealous of their other clients?
Have you searched on the internet for them (my personal favorite)? Driven past their house? Do you know what kind of car they drive? Do you know the car's license number?
What DO they want from us???????
poster:fallsfall
thread:274661
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20031011/msgs/274827.html