• 💖 [Donate To Keep MyPTSD Online] 💖 Every contribution, no matter how small, fuels our mission and helps us continue to provide peer-to-peer services. Your generosity keeps us independent and available freely to the world. MyPTSD closes if we can't reach our annual goal.

Since when does a therapist steer the session?

Status
Not open for further replies.

DorenBonét

New Here
Another question: my T said to me at the beginning of our second session "So here's what I have planned for us today." Since when does a therapist steer the session. What happened to "how are you doing?" "Any new developments you would like to share with me?" "What's been significant this past week?"
 
Another question: my T said to me at the beginning of our second session "So here's what I have planned for us today." Since when does a therapist steer the session.
What's the therapist's modality, and what goals have you set with them? There are definitely scenarios where the therapist would approach the session more like it had a lesson plan...it really just depends on what you and they agreed on at the outset.

But if sounds like you don't like them, so is leaving an option?
 
I’m not seeing a counselor that I chit chat about my week with. I see a trauma therapist that I’m working on a series of targeted goals, in part of a of a larger treatment plan.

It’s a very dynamic and interactive process, but they’re very much leading and directing things. Which is as I prefer it. I’m expected to let them know if somehing has come up that needs to be addressed. Because that happens. Otherwise? We’re working on what we’ve already decided to be working on.

There are other modalities -still in trauma therapy- that work differently, including both more directed & less.
 
I have asked my T to steer things at times, particularly at the earlier stages of therapy. As I had no clue about how to be in therapy. Or if it was a tricky subject and I didn't know how to talk, I would say I needed her to guide the session..
But that was an agreement between us.

Best to ask your T?
If you don't want her to do that: say.
It's the second session, so you're both finding out about each other. So best to be clear about how she works and whether that works for you or not
 
I'd love to have a trauma therapist I can only ever find counsellors which the one I saw was still helpful to talk to but I like a more guided approach but that isn't really available. You can always try to find a counsellor who will just sit back and listen but they have this whole I don't give advice thing which personally drives me mad.
 
I am blessed to have mine therapist even though I tend to shut done when things get difficult. I actually told mine last week that I have guilt about not letting him in. Something is coming up and I want to run,however I am not running away. I am afraid that he is going to drown because if I start crying which I do alot of between sessions. My fear is being overwhelming feelings. I have slot of childhood issues coming up. I must do this work in order to heal.
 
What's the therapist's modality, and what goals have you set with them? There are definitely scenarios where the therapist would approach the session more like it had a lesson plan...it really just depends on what you and they agreed on at the outset.

But if sounds like you don't like them, so is leaving an option?
Yes! I just sent a note to the Therapist with expectations. Hopefully, we can come to a meeting of minds because I like her, I just don't want to be misdiagnosed. Thank you.

I'd love to have a trauma therapist I can only ever find counsellors which the one I saw was still helpful to talk to but I like a more guided approach but that isn't really available. You can always try to find a counsellor who will just sit back and listen but they have this whole I don't give advice thing which personally drives me mad.
Hi Lilac. I hear you Lilac. I learned that active listening also includes mirroring the client's pertinent-to-healing points so we can "hear" ourselves from a different angle. My last therapist just wanted to chit-chat about dogs and parakeets, oh my. I want a therapist able to elicit "aha moments" and healing. Good luck.
 
they’re very much leading and directing things. Which is as I prefer it. I’m expected to let them know if something has come up that needs to be addressed. Because that happens. Otherwise? We’re working on what we’ve already decided to be working on.
this all the way. One time I was so frustrated, the first thing I said was "please just ask me a bunch of questions". She asked what do you mean? I said I want to talk I have answers but no...communication skills.

She always says this is your time (session). Sometimes she tells me to stop thinking about something for a while. I trust her. Hope this helps.
 
That does happen sometimes. "How are you doing?" is usually the first question but sometimes my T will pick up something from our last session or that I forgot we left to the side at some point.

I have never minded because there are lots of times I don't connect the dots on my own or see patterns or pick up on subtle things.
 
my sessions are generally lead by what is going on but my T will most definitely steer and if there is not spreading issue week bring up something she has had on her plan to work on with me.

Why? Because avoidance is a key part of trauma for some and I tend to either go at issues as if they are a piñata or avoid them. So balancing them by having T raise them as she feels appropriate is part of the process.

ASI have become more able I raise things more,but she also raises some things with more kind ‘what about this ? How is this going?’ And how I would feel about touching back on a list of topics we revisit sporadically or that have been to destabilising to work further with .

I definitely benefit from a steer - Part of T for me is a mirror of accountability to myself, and that steer is a really important part of learning how to do that for myself but without doing it punitively :)
 
What happened to "how are you doing?" "Any new developments you would like to share with me?" "What's been significant this past week?"
Sounds like your T is for me. I personally hate all of those questions my T took a long time to figure that out. Even when I told him he took a yes but this medicine is good for you approach. I started sarcastically responding and he stopped asking.

Sorry I realize that wasn’t helpful. Did you figure out a way to change things to fit you?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top