How to remember more of your therapy session?

[Movingforward10]

Hi,
I have difficulty with most sessions of remembering a lot of the session. I've taken to writing the session down as soon as it is over (and I'm able to, emotionally).
The problem is, depending on how intense the session is, I've already forgotten a lot of what she said.
Yesterday I couldn't even tune in to what she was saying at times as I was having a hard time just continuing.
I really want to remember what she says, rather than just a sentence here and there. As what she says is important and she clearly knows the answers and is trying to lead me to them. (perhaps my need to solve this quickly is driving this....)

I don't think I want to take notes in the session , as I think it might distract me. Do any of you do that?

I could not record me as I would never ever listen or watch that. I couldn't bear it.

What tips do you use?

 

[RubyBlue]

My T takes down notes and photocopies them for me so we each have a copy of what was talked about. I’m not talking about the notes that go into the file for insurance and such. But if we talk about a coping mechanism, she writes that down for me. Is that something you can talk to your T about?

 

[Chris-duck]

Would a summary at the end of a session help? Like a "we talked about blahblah, next time let's aim to talk about blah, in the meantime try n bleh". Like then you only need to fully remember a couple of sentences instead of a full session n that might help prompt you when you write it down when you're out?

 

[Movingforward10]

My T takes down notes and photocopies them for me so we each have a copy of what was talked about. I’m not talking about the notes that go into the file for insurance and such. But if we talk about a coping mechanism, she writes that down for me. Is that something you can talk to your T about?

Thanks. My T doesn't take notes during the session. But I might ask her about this

Would a summary at the end of a session help? Like a "we talked about blahblah, next time let's aim to talk about blah, in the meantime try n bleh". Like then you only need to fully remember a couple of sentences instead of a full session n that might help prompt you when you write it down when you're out?

Thanks. I think I will ask her about this too.

 

[Warrior Chicken]

Completely relate - and most of the time when I'm losing the thread in session I don't mention it (focusing so hard to keep T from sounding like the teacher on Charlie Brown). It may take time to build the relationship (don't know how long you've seen your T) but if you can, perhaps saying "trouble focusing right now and I want to retain what you're saying, can you simplify it?" Usually, my T has already simplified it, but is able to reword the same message and then it lands.

perhaps my need to solve this quickly is driving this

This is a big one....being patient with yourself and trying to remember that it takes as long as it takes. Also, many of the messages that T says can be repeated - you're changing core beliefs in some cases, and that takes time.
I still sometimes feel I'm wasting my T's time because he says the same messages over and over - many of them have started to stick and it's possible to slide back or forget when we're having a hard go. That's what our T's are there for.

you only need to fully remember a couple of sentences

Agree! So even writing down what you can after session - it's what most pertinent to you at that moment.
Sure there's more wisdom that gets thrown at you in session, your brain is incredible (and incredibly frustrating often) there will be things that get downloaded subconsciously. The ones you're able to write down, are the ones your brain cued on.

No real wisdom, just hoping to send you some kindness for this cuz it happens to me and I get really pissed at myself.

 

[somerandomguy]

I take notes during the session.

Does your T know you are dissociating during therapy?

 

[Movingforward10]

perhaps saying "trouble focusing right now and I want to retain what you're saying, can you simplify it?" Usually, my T has already simplified it, but is able to reword the same message and then it lands.

Thanks @Warrior Chicken , I'll try that. I think she would be open to that.
And you're right, I need to be more patient with it all. Hard that.....

I take notes during the session.

Does your T know you are dissociating during therapy?

Yeah, she knows. She keeps checking in with me, helping me breathe, and asking if I want to stop talking about certain things.

What you are all saying makes me realise I need to talk to her more about this.

And this is why this website (and you!) is/are so helpful.
Thank you.

 

[Teasel]

How about recording sessions? Most phones have voice recorders on them.

 

[Movingforward10]

How about recording sessions? Most phones have voice recorders on them.

I don't think I would be brave enough to play it back.....but maybe I need to think it through (if my T would allow that ..)

 

[Mee]

I think that you take notes afterwards is fantastic.

If you aren’t remembering is it because you are disassociating? This has been a big problem for me.

Key points that I recall and what I Don’t might have relevance or might not. Sometimes my Therapist and I do a quick review of what I remembered.

If I get definite ‘homework’ for the week I write it down IN the session and read it back.


For me this is a symptom of disassociation. Side note- My T always asks me to not start my journey home until I have had a hot or cold drink ( cafe next to her place) to ‘land’ . A really Disassociated state can be vulnerable even if not driving.

 

[Movingforward10]

I think that you take notes afterwards is fantastic.

If you aren’t remembering is it because you are disassociating? This has been a big problem for me.

Key points that I recall and what I Don’t might have relevance or might not. Sometimes my Therapist and I do a quick review of what I remembered.

If I get definite ‘homework’ for the week I write it down IN the session and read it back.


For me this is a symptom of disassociation. Side note- My T always asks me to not start my journey home until I have had a hot or cold drink ( cafe next to her place) to ‘land’ . A really Disassociated state can be vulnerable even if not driving.

Thanks @Mee, yeah I'm disassociating. Never ever realised how much I do that.
All great tips thank you. Good idea to 'land' before travelling. Will take that with me when this therapy goes back to face to face.

 

[Mee]

Thanks @Mee, yeah I'm disassociating. Never ever realised how much I do that.
All great tips thank you. Good idea to 'land' before travelling. Will take that with me when this therapy goes back to face to face.

You are welcome - it’s tough/ i Think disassociation is - frequent for me- I cope by reading/ listening to books when mindful occupation of my own life fills my tolerance- So most of the day ?.


I Am try and stick to The same routine for socially distanced therapy as for T office therapy. I ‘arrive ‘ in the same Room fifteen minutes before, having got myself a cup of mint tea and after the session I have a nother hot drink before making the room Available to others again. I literally book the room out like a netting room for two hours . ? ( I use my kitchen because it’s easiest to separate from others and feel private apart from my bedroom.