Bringing Things To Therapy?

[Chosen]

hey,

I'm just wondering if anyone brings in special items to show their T. I already asked my T if he'd be okay with me bringing stuff in, and he's looking forward to it.

I'm planning on bringing in a special tree branch I found several years ago and showing him a music video that is totally the anthem of my life.

Has anyone brought in significant items to show their therapist? How has that gone? I'm not worried about it, just curious if others have done this, and what impact it's had on therapy. I think it will be really neat, and helpful, and I thought it'd be interesting to hear if others have done so!

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

I think it is a great idea.

I have brought my diary and some art work to therapy. He enjoys both and it helps therapy by adding new coping skills, insight and refection.

Best wishes.

 

[SeanCharles]

One therapist I had took interest in writings I had brought in, along with some photos too. It does help if the therapist is interested in you and that is expressed also. I think doing this does help with the therapy to the extent that @Ayesha pointed out above.

 

[FindingMyself88]

I've brought in pictures, my journals, and my artwork. I think it definitely helps build a connection and gives your T a special insight into your life. My T firmly believes in art therapy and has helped me pull a lot out of my artwork.

 

[zeckster81]

I have brought in pictures of my family. I also took my cats in (one at a time). We found that they were great for me staying grounded while in session.

 

[Candleflames]

I bring in thing fairly regularly. Pics are a big one as is anything I'm knitting and my T always is eager to see what I've brought in. I've showed him scenes from shows and songs on youtube or I typed up lyrics to show him. I've even brought in people who are a part of my support and healing. They just say hi and maybe chat for a few mins and then go get coffee. Once though I brought in a friend to do some therapy exercises with, it was very helpful.

I think it shows our T that we trust them and have positive feelings about working with them. I'd be worried if you T wasn't open to the idea of you sharing what is special to you and helps you get through your process.

 

[Changing4Best]

I sent her some photos of works of art therapy I'd decided to do on my own. I guess I should have brought them in, because sending them in email didn't have the same kind of impact I think the originals would have had in person. Thanks for the idea!

 

[fly away home]

My T has me being in my art but it usually begins with her asking if I've done any art that week.

I show her if I have a picture on my phone then she asks me to bring it in if it's small enough for her to photo copy and if not I email it to her if it's large. These go into my file after we have discussed symbolism and meanings.

She always sees things I don't see and picks up on themes etc. It is good but I still can't be upfront enough to just bring the work in on the week I've done it. We always play the game of waiting to be asked, showing on the phone then later on bring the actual work in.

 

[FindingMyself88]

Lol @fly away home I can be a little difficult about my art too… I bring it in, but I wait until she asks to see it. Then I quickly change the subject when she starts to compliment it. Last week I drew and journaled on back of drawing.

She asked me to read what I wrote, but I made her read it. She asked me twice to read it but I said no lol so she eventually read it herself. This was my first time with my new therapist doing this, but she was very perceptive and picked up on the smallest details. Of course, she use to be/still is an artist and writer :)

 

[Sarah2732]

I think it's a great idea! As people we are SO much more than thoughts and spoken words. I think any therapist interested in really getting to know who you are would be really pleased that you brought something important to you, and would be interested in anything you feel expresses a part of you.

I have brought in a LOT of a stuff, actually. My art was a big part of how I communicated early in therapy, then journals, and sometimes old photo albums or a stuffed animal the young part of me likes. I have emailed her creative writing pieces unrelated to "my" story, but that I felt were just something I wanted her to read.

And I have brought in weird stuff.... like my giant Standard Poodle a couple times :D and one time I brought a box of day old baby ducks. :laugh:

My therapist told me she had one little boy who brought his pet rabbit every.single.time. :)

I think for this same reason I've found in-home sessions once in awhile really helpful. To have her see my space, see my studio, meet my horse... that was pretty big for me and made me feel like she could "see me" better.

 

[Chosen]

Oh wow, you've had in-home sessions? That'd be so interesting! As a somewhat lazy college student, haha, I'd have to do a bunch of cleaning before I'd let my T inside! haha. But I do think he'd find it very interesting!

Can you please bring me day old baby ducks to play with!?!

 

[Skylynx]

Zecster, you actually brought your cats to therapy? That is the coolest thing I've heard!