Phone session?

[hymnless]

Anyone done a phone session before? I had a really bad session last night and ended up saying some awful things and walking out. I texted my therapist today I apologized and asked if she had a few minutes to talk today or tomorrow. I meant like 3-5 minutes. Misread her reply and I’ve accidentally agreed to a phone session tomorrow. I’m already awkward and silent and don’t make eye contact in my regular sessions. Any tips on how to make it less weird?

 

[Justmehere]

When I struggled to make eye contact, phone sessions weee easier. I’d go walk in a empty park to talk, and the walking helped me talk even more.

 

[EveHarrington]

I’ve done them before. I don’t have any advice though! Maybe just try to relax and not overthink it?

 

[hymnless]

@EveHarrington is it more uncomfortable than a normal session?

@Justmehere I’m having a hard time figuring out where to go actually. It’s gotten cold here and supposed to snow tomorrow so walking around probably wouldn’t be ideal. It seems weird to actually go anywhere but I also feel weird being at my house, especially if my wife is home.

 

[UnicornSightings]

I hate phone calls so much and avoid them but I’ll give you advice anyway lol!!! Pick a spot you feel comfortable and also do something you really like doing. Like if you like to cook, put her on speaker while you’re cooking. Or have a sports game on mute. Like do something or have something that normalizes your experience and reminds you of who you are. Also write out bullet points, not a script. Just things that are important for you to say. If you get it all out in 5 minutes do NOT feel pressured to keep talking!!! You don’t have to talk for a full therapy hour. I feel for you, props for wanting to make things right asap and for having the courage to do this! You will be even stronger after. And always remember my first rule in phone etiquette: if it all goes to hell, hang up and pretend it never happened. ;)

 

[saraemerald]

I hope you get this before your phone session.
My therapist does phone sessions with me. She lets me if something comes up or I'm just not feeling well enough to drive to my appointment.
Honestly, I would find it to be much more comfortable especially if you have bad anxiety. But I prefer a session in person because I get more out of it.
The fact that she offered a phone session instead of just talking to you for a few minutes, sounds like she cares.
Please don't overthink it. Just go with it.
I appreciate so much any therapy time I can get. It gives me what I need to get through another week.

 

[hymnless]

@UnicornSightings thats the best phone etiquette rule I’ve ever heard. I about died laughing when I read it. Thanks for the ideas :) I’m pretty sure that no matter what happens I’m going to end up choking and not saying what I want to say. But I’ll try.

@saraemerald in all the years I’ve been in therapy I’ve never done a phone session with anyone because I felt like it wouldn’t be productive. Glad to hear you still get a lot out of it! She does really seem to care and I appreciate that about her. Last night she apologized in all of the right ways, I was just too angry to hear it. She knew she was in the wrong. As much as I don’t want to talk to her, I know that if I don’t then I’m probably never going back.

 

[Muttly]

I hate the phone, probably to the level of phobia. However, I have done a few phone therapy sessions and they went better than expected. For one thing, my T, knows how much I hate the phone and did her best to make it comfortable. It also isn't like most other phone calls, where silence is assumed to be a problem. There were plenty of moments where I didn't speak. I think the others have given you some good advice. If it's too cold to go outside, could you settle into a room? That way you can have some privacy. I tend to interact with my pets when I do the phone session. that helps keep me grounded and distracted from the weirdness.

 

[EveHarrington]

I was dissociated during my only phone session, so I don’t really remember much about it.

 

[Freida]

@EveHarrington will be interesting to see what she says next week about your conversation

 

[EveHarrington]

@Freida

Confused?

OP asked about my phone session. It was 8 years and at least as many therapists ago.

 

[Freida]

@EveHarrington Oh..I'm sorry -- I misread that! oops!