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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Looney Tunes on July 23, 2008, at 19:37:12
So for example,
Does T analyze how you sit?
What you do with the pillows?
What you do with your hands?Or is most of the analysis from the verbal exchange?
And even then, does T analyze what you say about their office, their clothes, whether they look tired, etc. Or do they just think these things are "normal exchanges?"
Posted by Nadezda on July 23, 2008, at 20:02:45
In reply to Do you think T analyzes everything in session?, posted by Looney Tunes on July 23, 2008, at 19:37:12
There's no answer to your question, LT.
Or, the answer could be, "on occasion, if it suddenly seems very noticeable," "depends on what else is going on," "no," "maybe"-- and "one of them might." The thing is, no one knows what a T thinks about except the T; and they probably think about different things at different times. They certainly don't think about those things all at once, all the time-- or anything close to that. I hope not anyway, because there are a lot more important things going on, generally-- and it's pretty hard to know what a person's doing those things means-- unless it connects to other things also going on.
If you're interested in what T's think about you could look at some articles or books in which Ts talk about how they're thinking in individual cases.
Nadezda
Posted by Dinah on July 23, 2008, at 20:24:52
In reply to Do you think T analyzes everything in session?, posted by Looney Tunes on July 23, 2008, at 19:37:12
Mine's not really into analysis.
He probably watches how I sit or move my hands, because it means something about how I feel. It's part of listening. He can be really good at listening.
Posted by sunnydays on July 23, 2008, at 23:22:04
In reply to Do you think T analyzes everything in session?, posted by Looney Tunes on July 23, 2008, at 19:37:12
No, they don't analyze everything. I remember once I commented about where I sit on the couch, and my T remarked something like, "Yeah, I think that's where most people sit." Then he was like, "Well, except maybe some. The guys sometimes sit over there (closer to T). Hmm, I wonder why that is, maybe it's a physical space or safety difference." So no, they don't. They couldn't and still attend to everything you are saying. But they are trained to pick up on subtle things that you or I might not notice, just because it can help people open up or point to important issues to explore. But no need to fear, I don't think T's are so picky or judgmental. :)
sunnydays
Posted by no_rose_garden on July 23, 2008, at 23:25:35
In reply to Do you think T analyzes everything in session?, posted by Looney Tunes on July 23, 2008, at 19:37:12
Unfortunately...it's often difficult for me to talk enough in session...but I think I can be very revealing physically...
That being said, I think he has no other choice but to analyze, and he's usually right.
>
> And even then, does T analyze what you say about their office, their clothes, whether they look tired, etc. Or do they just think these things are "normal exchanges?"
>
>Sometimes he'll ask why I ask/comment...and that might reveal something...but usually he will just answer my question or make a further comment....
Posted by Phillipa on July 24, 2008, at 10:45:02
In reply to Re: Do you think T analyzes everything in session?, posted by no_rose_garden on July 23, 2008, at 23:25:35
When I went mine just said see you in a few weeks asked for her check and gave me an appointment card. Phillipa
Posted by backseatdriver on July 24, 2008, at 11:02:25
In reply to Do you think T analyzes everything in session?, posted by Looney Tunes on July 23, 2008, at 19:37:12
>And even then, does T analyze what you say about their office, >their clothes, whether they look tired,
My T is defensive about his interior design. I know if I comment on it, I'll get a rise out of him. He likes ascetic clean-lined modern furniture. I told him, "It is as if you don't want anyone to get too comfortable." He didn't like it much, but he conceded the point.
Last session, when he opened the door, he seemed unusually preoccupied. I asked, "Is something wrong, or is it just me?" (A lot of things had gone wrong for me that week, so it could have been projection.) He said it wasn't just me, and that my perception was correct. He did want to know how I knew. I couldn't tell him. Maybe something about the tilt of his head when he opened the door, or the fact that we started a minute or two later than usual.
I didn't push for details about his crisis though. Figured it was none of my business.
Posted by antigua3 on July 24, 2008, at 14:47:37
In reply to Do you think T analyzes everything in session?, posted by Looney Tunes on July 23, 2008, at 19:37:12
Yes, I think they do, as much as they probably can. I like to shoot back w/my own observations to show them that they aren't so smart--they do things--like YAWN--that they aren't aware of.
I'm feeling a little feisty today.
Seriously though, I know my pdoc watches me like a hawk. My T does too, but she's much more relaxed about it because we know each other so well. But she will point out things that are out of the ordinary.
antigua
Posted by lucie lu on July 24, 2008, at 19:22:57
In reply to Do you think T analyzes everything in session?, posted by Looney Tunes on July 23, 2008, at 19:37:12
I used to think that he thought about everything untl I realized how impossible that was. He will assess me for mood and state of mind as I walk into his room, and again when I leave. I recently gave him a small gift that I picked up on a recent trip - I could almost smell the smoke from his thought processes - why is she giving me something now? what does this mean? (lol) Other times, he's accepted small gifts from me without a lot of thought, they were in more obvious contexts (e.g. a home-made food item during the holidays; a meaningful symbolic gift). So, no, I don't think he analyzes everything. But certain things are caught by his antennae. It's so easy to get paranoid and think they have super-human powers of observation, but no, I don't think they do.
Posted by FindingMyDesire on July 27, 2008, at 20:30:14
In reply to Do you think T analyzes everything in session?, posted by Looney Tunes on July 23, 2008, at 19:37:12
Oh Looney Tunes,
This is one of my favorite subjects and I feel like my posts are too long on this forum. Maybe cause I'm new.I will say that I have made fun of myself and so I have brought significance to my actions. So, now I see her notice them. For example, if I come in and the rug is at an angle I have to fix it. If the lamp shade is tilted, I have to straighten it. If I reach for a tissue I use that opportunity to line up the box in the corner. (I know, don't say it.) But what else can I control in there!?!
Sometimes I catch her looking playfully amused or at least curious about my actions. A couple of times (when she knew it was safe I'm sure) she even laughed at me. Personally, the watching so intensely feels good at the same time that it triggers me (in a productive way).
Posted by Amanda29 on August 9, 2008, at 21:12:38
In reply to Re: Do you think T analyzes everything in session?, posted by Dinah on July 23, 2008, at 20:24:52
My T is very sneeky in how he analyzes things...he will notice the slightest thing and then a few weeks later he will bring it to my attention.
I do group therapy with him and 2 other people every other week and I have this thing where when someone is talking I get this glazed over look and I zone out... I didnt think he noticed because I only did it once or twice but 2 weeks later I commented about it to him and he was like yeah...I noticed...and I was so surprised...I thought he wasnt paying attention to me at the time...but we were trying to figure out why I do that and I have no idea.
I do know he watches me fiddle with things...I get really anxious and mess with my keys or with the pillows AND..oh I know he notices this..this is major...I dont have good eye contact with him at all..and I never look at him when I am talking ...I wish I could ..but I have never had good eye contact with anyone. He has like 4 pillows on his couch and whenever I go in for the session I sit in the same spot on the couch, I grab the SAME pillow, and I sit it on my lap as a "barrier" between me and him. (HE HAS NOTICED ALL OF THIS and I am sure he analzyes this to pieces...but that is ok. :)
This is the end of the thread.
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