Posted by mair on January 26, 2005, at 21:47:26
In reply to Re: model good eye contact » bimini, posted by gardenergirl on January 25, 2005, at 22:54:57
GG - when you're with a client do you have trouble really listening?
As a client, I'm not always very good with eye contact, although I'm getting better. I do think I listen to my T better when I'm looking at her. Sometimes when I look away, I'm withdrawing and hearing but not listening. I think it makes feeling that connection harder.
I wonder about it from a T's perspective only because I find it hard to pay attention through whole session; (I mean during the time when my T is talking). I assume it must be hard for the T also.
My T takes alot of notes, because she says it helps her remember later on what was discussed, and I suppose, is a way for her to ensure that she doesn't miss anything. I never could figure out how Ts remember as much as they do without taking notes. HOWEVER - I'm starting to think there's a downside with notetaking. I think it's harder for me to make the connection that comes with eye contact if my T is looking down at a note pad. So I think she misses messages that I might convey by expressions, for instance. Sometimes I think the notetaking distracts to the point where she, too, is hearing but not really listening.
What do you think?
Mair
poster:mair
thread:443118
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050122/msgs/448407.html