Psycho-Babble Psychology Thread 394526

Shown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Looking around T's office

Posted by Annierose on September 24, 2004, at 12:17:32

Reading some of the above posts had me wondering how comfortable most of you are looking around their office. I am NOT! I tend to be frozen, afraid that I appear nosey. I often wanted to stand up during the session and walk over to her bookcase and glance at the titles (I think they are mostly psych books, but I can't be sure). Mostly I lie down, so my eyes are shut, but if I choose to sit, I do not look around, although I would like to.

 

Re: Looking around T's office » Annierose

Posted by daisym on September 24, 2004, at 12:53:59

In reply to Looking around T's office, posted by Annierose on September 24, 2004, at 12:17:32

I think you should bring this up. Most therapist are aware that people will be in and out so they don't leave sensitive information around where clients can see it. I find it interesting that you seem to feel it would be inappropriate in some way. I'm not suggesting walking around looking at her desk or into her drawers. But "looking" around is expected, isn't it?

I can tell you probably everything in my therapist's office, nicknacks, art, etc. But what is really weird is that when he gave me a picture of himself, I didn't remember that he wore glasses. I guess I've learn to look through them into his eyes. But I would swear he doesn't always wear them. I keep trying to remember to notice when i go...but I never do.

 

Re: Looking around T's office » daisym

Posted by Annierose on September 24, 2004, at 13:36:33

In reply to Re: Looking around T's office » Annierose, posted by daisym on September 24, 2004, at 12:53:59

Maybe I will bring this up. But that would take loads of courage. I have been going for a year, 2 (sometimes 3) times a week, so it's not like I don't have the opportunity. She has even left me alone for a minute or two, and I just did nothing.
Our brains sure do work in interesting ways.

 

Re: Looking around T's office » Annierose

Posted by shortelise on September 24, 2004, at 15:42:57

In reply to Re: Looking around T's office » daisym, posted by Annierose on September 24, 2004, at 13:36:33

Again, it's the stuff that's hard to bring up that seems to be most important.

Do you wonder why you don't feel you have the right to look at the room in whcih you spend a few hours a week? Do you wonder that you feel you don't have a right to do so?

Courage. Therapy just takes a lot of courage!

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go and get back under my bed. ;-)

ShortE

 

Re: Looking around T's office » Annierose

Posted by Poet on September 24, 2004, at 17:35:14

In reply to Looking around T's office, posted by Annierose on September 24, 2004, at 12:17:32

I'm comfortable letting my T see me look around the room. I straighten lampshades and pictures, but refrain from organizing her books, though I'd like to.

My pdoc works out of his house and his office is gorgeous. I can't imagine any patient not looking around every chance s/he gets.

I think it's a matter of comfort level, if you're not, don't worry about it. I have a hard time talking to my T or pdoc, and I think it's easier if I don't just look at them. You close your eyes, I look away. Either way, it's okay.

Poet

 

Re: Looking around T's office

Posted by shrinking violet on September 24, 2004, at 19:15:12

In reply to Re: Looking around T's office » Annierose, posted by Poet on September 24, 2004, at 17:35:14

Hm, interesting.

I look around my T's office a lot, while I'm sitting in the chair (I think it unnerves her a bit, since I often noticeably avoid looking her in the eyes *lol*). I've never gotten up and actually walked around though, and I'd feel weird touching anything in her office unless she asked me to (I fixed her clock once, and I opened a drawer to get a stapler, but both times she told me to...it still felt a little weird, though). My T's office isn't that big, so I can get a pretty good view of everything from my seat, EXCEPT for her diplomas. They are on the far wall, next to the door, situated just so I can make out her name but no other detail. I'd love to go over one day to read them, but I'd feel weird. I might ask her if I can look at them sometime (yeah, riiiight).

 

Re: Looking around T's office

Posted by caraher on September 25, 2004, at 13:00:14

In reply to Re: Looking around T's office » Annierose, posted by Poet on September 24, 2004, at 17:35:14

> I'm comfortable letting my T see me look around the room. I straighten lampshades and pictures, but refrain from organizing her books, though I'd like to.

That reminds me of the time I was in the little waiting room and I noticed the lamp had been improperly assembled. When she came to get me I was in the process of reassembling it correctly, pointing out what had been done wrong...

I sit across from a bookshelf and definitely note all the books there. I think I've even commented on them once or twice (awkward silence-filler!).

 

Re: Looking around T's office » caraher

Posted by Poet on September 25, 2004, at 13:36:46

In reply to Re: Looking around T's office, posted by caraher on September 25, 2004, at 13:00:14

Very funny. I approve.

Poet

 

Re: Looking around T's office » caraher

Posted by Annierose on September 25, 2004, at 15:23:27

In reply to Re: Looking around T's office, posted by caraher on September 25, 2004, at 13:00:14

You are too funny. You see, I wouldn't have the courage, but I'd have the impulse to do the same.
When I go to therapy next week, I think I'll bring up this subject, rather than start walking around her office, checking out her books.

 

Re: Looking around T's office

Posted by gardenergirl on September 25, 2004, at 17:10:24

In reply to Re: Looking around T's office » caraher, posted by Annierose on September 25, 2004, at 15:23:27

How funny. I don't stand up and wander around, but I do try to read the book titles without tilting my head too much. Also, I just am inhibited about touching other people's stuff. I'm sure that was beaten into my head when I was a kid. Last week everytime I sat in my bosses office I could see an electrical cord that had a loose knot in it. I couldn't STAND looking at that knot, so Friday when he was off, I untied it! LOL I feel so much better.

If there was something in my T's office that was askew or wrong, it would drive me nuts. But I doubt I would say or do something unless he noticed my distraction. And even then...ugh.

gg

 

Re: Looking around T's office » Annierose

Posted by Dinah on September 26, 2004, at 19:15:53

In reply to Looking around T's office, posted by Annierose on September 24, 2004, at 12:17:32

I look all the time. I used to look at the knicknacks and pictures instead of him. And often, when I was visibly upset, he would pick up one or another and tell me their significance. He said that everything in his office had a meaning relating to therapy. That was his old office though. When he moved to his new office, we'd sometimes talk about the new additions, and it's clear they have no purpose other than looks. I wonder if he realizes that he stopped being purposeful about what he puts in his space?

I also read the book titles on his shelf. I bought one that had something to do with my own situation and was appalled. It was horrible! My therapist doesn't *seem* to share that therapeutic orientation, and perhaps the book was a gift or something. But even so, he shouldn't be displaying it...

 

Re: Looking around T's office » Dinah

Posted by Annierose on September 26, 2004, at 22:07:10

In reply to Re: Looking around T's office » Annierose, posted by Dinah on September 26, 2004, at 19:15:53

Thanks to everyone who replied. I have sat with many thoughts from this board. I see my T tomorrow afternoon and do plan to look around more, although it's hard because I have chosen to lie down as of late. There is some art work on the wall I may make a comment on. I'll let you know how it goes. -Annie


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