Therapy Or Tea And Sympathy?

[Lisa]

Every time I was trying to avoid something I would reach for my bottle. I don't think I will bring it in with me anymore...

Perhaps I can use this thread to benefit me in the future... Because your quote made me realise that I will know when I am getting better when I don't need the distraction in order to have the conversation!

 

[cherryblossom]

I'm with you Lucy. I would find it really distracting if my therapist were drinking tea or coffee, or anything, or doing anything else that distracted from our therapy.

There is a jug of water on the table, with 2 glasses if either of us needs it, but I can't say I've ever had any, or seen her have any either.

Also as a health care provider, I don't drink anything while dealing with my patients. To me, it's unprofessional.

 

[anon]

I don't think it's an issue of being pedantic. BL sometimes when you talk you remind me of myself. Are you highly sensitive? Like to different things in general. Not emotionally but physically. Sounds, shapes, bright lights, even the sound of people's voices bother me. My neighbors drive me nuts because she has this really sharp, loud voice when she talks and it sounds like she is blowing a foghorn when she talks, but no one else notices this but me. I am hyper acute to every thing in my environment. (And with that comes being extremely precise, which, comes across as pedantic to most people as well).

Everything has to be proper. Things cant be too stimulating or else it is grating on every nerve. Most people don't experience the concept that something like drinking, fiddling around, a clock ticking, papers shuffling, phone ringing - would be distracting. But for me it is all distracting. Therapy is an area where there can't be any distractions. But for a lot of people I don't know if these things register as distractions because they are not so sensitive to minor fluctuations in their environment.

So for them, "not having distraction" would mean not doing whatever does distract them, but might include minor movements or drinking something or fiddling or they might not notice a clock or papers or a phone or the T.V in the background. Whereas, for us, distraction means no nothing. Does that make sense? Like SC or Dory having a drink might not even notice they're drinking, it is just habitual. They can still focus and work, and it doesnt detract for them. But for like us, it would.

Anyway sorry, hope I didn't offend anybody.

 

[Lucycat]

Anyway sorry, hope I didn't offend anybody.

You have certainly not offended me! Your opinions are very valid.

I think you have a point. I am sensitive to distractions. In 2 different therapy sessions I jerked my head so dramatically my T asked me what was happening. One was a moth in the light, another was because the street lights outside had just been switched on. They were really trivial interruptions but certainly stopped the sessions in their tracks. Yes we continued, but you lose the flow and interrupt the thoughts and feelings.

 

[SimplyComplex]

I think what ever works for ya'll. I dont think it is the same as seeing the dermatologist (and I would bring in a coffee if I was drinking one on the way, no issue with that either). We dont do anything magic, just talk. I actually find the hot/cold grounding.

 

[Lucycat]

We dont do anything magic, just talk

I guess that it precisely my point - I see it as FAR more than 'just talk'.

 

[SimplyComplex]

I guess what I meant was we are doing "talk therapy". We don't do other types of therapy...some of you might. My t isn't exercise heavy with me, we aren't doing EMDR or other methods. I take it very seriously. But we are sitting in a room, talking. I think its fine some people don't drink, or do drink. My niece will even eat and her T doesn't care. There is more then one right way to do something. And I believe people an be taking their therapy very seriously while still sipping on a strawberry banana smoothie. One I went without a beverage and almost died from a dry throat :)

 

[lilstar]

The only time I've had a drink in therapy, was when we we're doing exposure therapy and we went to a cafe.....
I couldn't see myself having a drink in my T's office, it wouldn't feel right.

 

[anndeb]

I agree, there are more ways than one to do 'good' therapy.. I guess I feel that it is the quality of the relationship of client and T that bears more importance to a good outcome than whether eating and drinking are practiced or not.. Whatever works for the people involved.. myself, I am more on the side of the non-distractions as I find the 'talk' with my T is intense more often than not. :)

 

[jadebear]

My T. always has some sort of drink that he sips on. I don't mind though because it makes it seem more casual and comfortable. And it's not distracting at all for me.

I'm sure I am distracting to him though by fiddling with paper, or a magazine, my ring, my necklace, or ripping the skin off my fingernails, or sanitizing my hands, or looking through my purse, or....whatever else it is that I do.

 

[Ice_Fire]

I know this is an old thread but I thought I would throw my two pennies in anyway.

Personally, I would also get quite distracted if me and my T were drinking whilst working. I think it would be an easy way for me to dodge questions that are difficult.

That being said, if she doesn't have a client after me, (quite often the case :) ), then we sit and have a cup of tea. I find it very grounding and the warmth comforting. Some days I don't think I'd be able to drive home safely if I hadn't had that time to calm down after my session

 

[Lucycat]

I think the idea of a cup of tea after therapy is quite appealing, but for me that would never happen. T comes to my house for therapy - and I am always his last client of the day, so from here he rushes home to his family. I never feel he rushes me or the session, but I think as soon as it is done I would feel guilty detaining him any more!

However if I were the one to be driving home, I can see the attraction.

Personally, I would also get quite distracted if me and my T were drinking whilst working. I think it would be an easy way for me to dodge questions that are difficult.

That is exactly what I would do - probably stare into the bottom of the cup. T has made a lot of effort getting me to actually look at him, and I really try to do that now.