Inappropriate smiling

[Eagles wings]

Yep... do this all the time. I think for me a lot of it is nervousness... one counselor that had gotten to know me well would even in his own way.... kindly acknowledge it.... sometimes it was a lighthearted “I recognize that smile... it’s your ‘this is hard to talk about smile’ and other smiles. He was actually usually right on.... which helped ease the tension of... since he helped me find expression to my smiles and other nonverbal cues... it actually helped me to recognize them myself.
It was really helpful when we moved and I needed a new counselor... earlier on I found I was able to break the ice myself and let him know... “this is my nervous smile” or my “this is hard to talk about smile” It helped both of us. Especially when I could combine it with what I might actually be feeling about the subject at hand...... “this is my nervous smile... (have identified the nervous feeling”... but even though I am smiling I feel ...... sad, numb, angry (whatever the feeling may be) inside when I talk about (actual issue) ... So for me identifying it says .. ya, I know it’s there... and now that I have acknowledged it, it’s ok, and I can get back to actual topic instead of feeling self conscious of my smiling. Just thoughts