Distractions during therapy

[Deleted member 34328]

Sometimes my T and I play Uno while we talk. It’s been super helpful for me, especially when di...

I love that!!! I can't quite picture my t and I doing that, but I'm sure he would...

 

[hymnless]

When you all did these various things (coloring, uno, etc) how did you bring it up? Or did your therapist suggest it? I’d feel a little weird just rolling up to therapy with a coloring book lol

 

[Deleted member 37474]

When you all did these various things (coloring, uno, etc) how did you bring it up? Or did your therap...

I actually don’t think I would mind bringing my coloring stuff to therapy. It would just be tricky because she would have to sit closer to me to share the pencils and that might stress me out.

 

[hymnless]

I actually don’t think I would mind bringing my coloring stuff to therapy. It would just be tricky be...

Mmmm good call. I hadn’t considered that. I pretty much black out when she sits near me so maybe that’s not the best option

 

[Stephernovas]

I played a board game with my therapist last session. I walked in and she was finishing putting stuff away and I said "Oh! Can we play a game?". I thought she'd dismiss it and tell me they weren't for me, but instead she excitedly responded, "You want to play a game?! Okay, which one do you want?". Then we went through the games. Of course, all of the games in her office related to some element of therapy, but (and as she even commented), it was a very nice break from the intense stuff.

When stuff gets too intense, I get miserable and shut down. She's tried exposure with me for months now and I'm barely inching forward because I straight up refuse every time. I do put forth effort, but it's simply doesn't seem to be clicking for me. If I remember, I'm going to bring Uno and keep it in my bag. I'm going to ask her if we can play that. If not, I'm going to bring a deck of cards and play solitaire while we talk. I need to keep my mind busy, and if the negative stuff comes in to flood every time we do something...I'll be in therapy for years and years and years with little to no progress.

 

[Stephernovas]

Mmmm good call. I hadn’t considered that. I pretty much black out when she sits near me so maybe that’s not the best option

Why would you both be colouring? I've tried group therapy ONCE before (totally not for me), and I brought a colouring book to calm myself down. If I did that, my therapist would likely sit there and keep her own notes as per usual.

 

[hymnless]

Why would you both be colouring? I've tried group therapy ONCE before (totally not for me), and I...

Ok that’s also a valid point lol

 

[Deleted member 34328]

I just bring whatever I want...hold my item(s) in my hands, sometimes a blanket that has meaning for me... I roll it up and put against my stomach - where anxiety is highest, my T encourages me to do or bring whatever I want on any given session. Doesn't have to be the same thing each time.

 

[hymnless]

She did tell me yesterday that I could bring my dog (not a service dog, just very very dumb and loving) with me, so maybe I’ll start here and see what happens

 

[hymnless]

There*

 

[Stephernovas]

She did tell me yesterday that I could bring my dog (not a service dog, just very very dumb and loving) with me, so maybe I’ll start here and see what happens

I have a blanket I often bring as well. I always take my shoes off, put my phone away, and get comfortable. Because my therapist works out of a shared office, I doubt I'd be able to bring my dog. I wish I could though, that sounds amazing!!!!!

 

[PeppermintTea]

When you all did these various things (coloring, uno, etc) how did you bring it up? Or did your therapist suggest it? I’d feel a little weird just rolling up to therapy with a coloring book lol

I brought Uno with me and as soon as I plopped down on the couch I said, “Can we play Uno?” He was very taken aback, but he agreed and it’s become a normal thing for us now. I was SUPER nervous to ask the first time because I thought it might be weird or he might say no, but I looked at it as an opportunity to exercise courage (I suck at that...bravery is a common topic in therapy for me). I’m really glad now that I did it!