How Does Your Therapist Coach You Out Of Flashbacks?

[joeylittle]

Another thread made me wonder about this. I had an especially rough session today, and there were a few times when I almost "went away" - that's what happens in my head when I get overtaken by the memories - and I did a good job of keeping myself present in the room. I was able to observe that my therapist always notices my breathing pattern change before I do and he reminds me to regulate my breathing -

Today I was able to actually notice that he says this phrase "Stay here with me" when I start to go. I think I heard him tell me I was in his office once before and I was safe....

What does your therapist do or say when you dissociate or flashback in session?

 

[katiekat]

Mine will cock his head and I will notice that he is watching me. He usually waits a minute until he senses I am back and he will ask if I just went somewhere, or ask me where I went, or if I'm starting to slip away he will ask if I'm shutting down. All of those things seem helpful because I realize that another person is aware of me and is working hard to notice if I'm ok or not. It's comforting actually.

 

[Joan]

For me there is a very distinct difference between dissociation and flashback....when dissociating much of the same that was said...asking wehre I went, reminding me I am safe and there in the room...but when a flashback nothing can stop.

 

[Seasounds]

I usually need to notify my therapists, however my Alexander Tchnique teacher has the subtle skill of noticing when I start to disassociate, due to changes in my breathing, subtle body tensions, affect, etc.

At these moments, she may help me, by helping me notice my body tension levels (increased during disassociation) and help me-instruct me, how to decrease my tension levels, and adjust my activities- using the AT, so I can be present, again. I guess this is the AT version of how your therapist asks you to breathe, etc.

If I am disassociating, I usually find that I need to slow down, so my material comes out at a better pace, that I can emotionally digest/handle.

 

[Leanne1]

I started to disassociate, so my T once took a bottle with a scent in it and said that smelling it would help. It did.

Also, sometimes she has me feel different textures and notice the differences. Like the difference in fabric on a chair and then feel the wooden frame... If you can do this then you are back in your body and present in the room again.

I have had a flash back once in therapy. I don't know what she did. I wasn't aware of where I was, and then when it was over I could hear her saying, "you are safe, you are here in my office" etc.