Therapists Always Re Jigging Office?

[Danielle4]

It irritates me when my therapists office has changed. New table, different pictures, different lamps etc. My T says she rents the room so can't control the design changes. I don't know if it's a genuine thing or if it affects therapy positively or negatively but would love to know if you guys have any.similar experience or thoughts

 

[Whyteferret]

Sometimes differences in the room are distracting until I see it enough in the session that I get used to it.

I like familiar. It makes me feel safer.

 

[Justmehere]

My T rents her office space too from another therapist. She even alternates between two offices. I didn't like it at all at first, but now it makes me focus on her more as what makes me feel safe, so it's kinda worked out ok over the long run. She actually will re-arrange the furniture to her liking, and mine, just for my sessions, and then moves it back. That helps.

 

[Crow]

My T's office has been the same for years. I notice new books or when something moves a few inches. Don't think I could tolerate constant big changes

 

[Sideways]

I switched to a new p-doc at the start of the year who rents a room and switches back and forth randomly between 2 offices. At first I thought is was going to be a disaster- who the hell am I going to feel safe in a completely different space each week? Where is my "therapy space"??

Actually it's been really good for me. I don't have an emotional attachment to the room like I used to with my previous docs. So when I walk in, I don't get hit by that wave of "and now it's therapy time" that I used to.

On top of that, my relationship with my doc, the trust we're (sort of) building is based on my relationship with her, not a complete environment, and I think that's healthier for me. Being able to talk to my doc without everything being 'just so' I think is good for me building trust. Trust ultimately has to be attached to the person, not an environment that I feel is under control.

But I won't pretend like it wasn't a big deal for me at first. I honestly thought it was going to be a deal breaker until I decided to give it a go.

 

[theshadowoftheliving]

Yes. My therapist works in a practice and often switches rooms/things switch up on us. It's overwhelming, but good to be forced to deal with change in such a minor way, I think, much like peoe are suggesting here.

 

[DucatiGirl]

My new T's office waiting room is so old and so dated that I really WISH they'd redecorate. I look at the cloth couches and the sagging cushions and am almost afraid to sit in them for fear of picking up something -- fungal, MRSA, contact dermatitis from the dust... I end up standing for twenty minutes waiting for my appointment...

 

[Lotis]

I thought I was the only one! I guess because I have safety issues I need to know every inch of the room. If something changes I have to point it out and ask where it came from or something. I think change in general is hard for anyone who has experienced trauma. I like consistency it makes me feel comfortable. I wouldn't like it if my therapists office changed constantly. It is a negative effect but it goes away when I can identify the change and feel comfortable again.

 

[watundah]

Mine is moving into a space above her garage. She currently works in a cottage and there's no waiting room so I have to wait in my car but it's an awesome space. Now I will have to drive up 1/2 mile of mountain road and there's still no waiting room. I imagine missing several winter sessions. Also she just moved in with her boyfriend which is how this is happening and it kind of weirds me out that we will probably eventually see each other outside. I mean, the guy can't hide all day. I wonder if she tells him things about me. I know they can't mention names but you know they must talk in generalities.

Then I wonder if I am being silly about all this when really all that should matter is our work.