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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by happykat on December 3, 2006, at 10:13:16
I've got my first phone session scheduled this week and I'm wondering:
Are phone sessions easier or more awkward than office sessions?
Do you park yourself in one spot or roam around the house with a cordless phone?
Do you feel like somethings lost by not having the T's facial expressions or body language to read off of?
Thanks,
happykat :]
Posted by LlurpsieBlossom on December 3, 2006, at 11:09:04
In reply to Phone Sessions vs. Office Sessions, posted by happykat on December 3, 2006, at 10:13:16
I've had a few phone sessions. I like to set up a comfy spot. for me it was some pillows on the floor and a down throw. In the closet. a small place. cozy. private.
It's really important that you feel that you can speak openly. that you're not worried about eavesdroppers.
I enjoyed hearing my T's voice. I think i had never really paid so much attention to her words before. She has very wise words.
It's worthwhile, and you may feel more comfortable talking about things when your T can't see you fidgeting with your hair etc.
Added bonus- no need to look well-groomed!
-ll
Posted by annierose on December 3, 2006, at 11:40:04
In reply to Phone Sessions vs. Office Sessions, posted by happykat on December 3, 2006, at 10:13:16
Never had a phone session but I would imagine it would be more awkward. Without seeing a person's body language, there is so much more room left to interpretation (on both sides). Lingering silence seems longer on the phone too. And some therapists just aren't as comfortable on the phone either.
But, having said that, your t may feel totally differently. It may be a medium she is comfortable using.
I would use a cordless phone and perch on my sofa. No tv, no radio, no kids, no distractions.
Posted by Dinah on December 3, 2006, at 12:12:12
In reply to Phone Sessions vs. Office Sessions, posted by happykat on December 3, 2006, at 10:13:16
My favorite place is my daybed, or my bed.
And I take every chance in the world to be in jammies. :)
Come to think of it, although my therapist is rotten on the phone, the few phone sessions we had during Katrina weren't too bad, except they felt more like chatting than therapy.
But I missed feeling his solid and accepting presence.
Posted by muffled on December 3, 2006, at 18:37:22
In reply to Phone Sessions vs. Office Sessions, posted by happykat on December 3, 2006, at 10:13:16
I talked to my T on the phone the other day.
No crisis. No drugs. Just me.
And it was weird as all hell!!!!LOL!
She asked a coupla times, how was my week going. Both times I said 'fine'.
I was wierded. And she talked quite a bit, but I was STILL weirded.
But then I weirded in session too, now that I think on it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ROFL!!!
Heaven help my poor ol T !
I must be the client from hell.
LOL!
Take care HK.
Muffled
Posted by happykat on December 4, 2006, at 20:29:37
In reply to Re: Phone Sessions vs. Office Sessions » happykat, posted by LlurpsieBlossom on December 3, 2006, at 11:09:04
Hi! Thanks for your post. I especially enjoyed the pointers on not having to worry about fidgeting. (I do that all the time) Also not having to be well groomed. (I like idea of sitting around in pjs.
I'm horrible on the phone and have to confess that I decided to go in at the last minute. Which worked out because I decided to discuss my transference feelings and there were huge gaps of silence on both parts. If I had been at home I probably would have grabbed a bottle of wine and been drunk by the end of the phone session.
But such is life!I will file these tips away for future phone sessions. : )
thanks,
happykat
Posted by happykat on December 4, 2006, at 20:36:26
In reply to Re: Phone Sessions vs. Office Sessions » happykat, posted by annierose on December 3, 2006, at 11:40:04
Thanks annierose. I ended up bailing out at last minute and going in to talk to T. I'm really horrible on the phone and wanted to talk about some important things and kept thinking that it would be good to see how she reacted when i talked to her. I'm glad I went in!
thanks,
happykat :)
Posted by happykat on December 4, 2006, at 20:53:38
In reply to Re: Phone Sessions vs. Office Sessions, posted by Dinah on December 3, 2006, at 12:12:12
Dinah,
Thanks for your post. In bed and jammies sounded the best to me! :)
I'm horrible on the phone and have to confess I decided to go in at last minute. It worked out because I decided to discuss my transference feelings and there were huge gaps of silence on both parts. If I had been at home I probably would have grabbed a bottle of wine and been drunk by the end of the phone session.
She actually was very amicable to the discussion and even brought up additional transference scenarios. Which led to discussing the transference on deeper level. It could possibly end up being one of the most important sessions I've had. Thank You for your guidance on the subject. (BTW I finished Lott's book. It IS a lifesaver if you're wrestling with these issues. )Thanks again.
> Come to think of it, although my therapist is rotten on the phone, the few phone sessions we had during Katrina weren't too bad, except they felt more like chatting than therapy.
>
Just an inkling or curiousity but were you in harms way during Katrina?Thanks again for all your help!
happykat :)
Posted by happykat on December 4, 2006, at 20:59:52
In reply to Re: Phone Sessions vs. Office Sessions » happykat, posted by muffled on December 3, 2006, at 18:37:22
Hey Muffled! :)
Thanks for your post!
I ended up bailing and going in to see my T. I'm horrible on the phone. I would love to do therapy via the computer. That would be a dream!!It worked out because there were huge gaps of silence on both parts during todays session. If I had been at home the silence would have unnerved me and I probably would have grabbed a bottle of wine and been drunk by the end of the phone session.
Probably not a good thing!
thanks,
happykat :)
Posted by Dinah on December 4, 2006, at 21:20:34
In reply to Re: Phone Sessions » Dinah, posted by happykat on December 4, 2006, at 20:53:38
That sounds absolutely wonderful. I'm glad you had such an important session.
We had to evacuate for a month or so, but our house received only relatively minor damage. My therapist's house fared much worse, and he actually moved out of town and bought a house elsewhere before moving back last May. The phone sessions were then.
Posted by happykat on December 4, 2006, at 21:50:44
In reply to Re: Phone Sessions » happykat, posted by Dinah on December 4, 2006, at 21:20:34
Dinah,
Sorry to hear that you were indeed in harms way.
We've gone through 3 canes in last 2 years which was NOTHING compared to what you guys went through. I had alot of friends who covered the story. I did photodocumentary of survivors who ended up in fl. I can't even begin to imagine what you went through. You must be a very strong woman! :) I hope life is treating you really well now!happykat
P.S. I don't know why it keeps sending 2 posts everytime? I'm going to try to not hold key down so long. Sorry! :(
Posted by Dinah on December 4, 2006, at 21:57:35
In reply to Re: Phone Sessions » Dinah, posted by happykat on December 4, 2006, at 21:50:44
No problem. I think a lot of people are doing it because the server is a bit slower than usual.
It really wasn't so bad. We evacuated ahead of the storm, really early even so there was no traffic. Staying a month in a hotel room, the three of us, actually led to a closer family I think.
The worst part was going the day after the storm and having to check out all the shelters along the way for my inlaws who refused to evacuate at first, then got stuck in traffic and were unable to meet us where we were supposed to meet. That was a hair-raising day, and they were both so traumatized and horribly weak. The fellow evacuees at the shelter had taken them under their wings, because they were totally unprepared with blankets or food.
Both of them died before 2005 was over. Sigh. If they included the old people who died from the stress, the death toll would be astronomical.
I always say that we were incredibly fortunate, but I guess the loss of my son's grandfather and great grandmother was pretty traumatic.
Posted by happykat on December 5, 2006, at 6:51:58
In reply to Re: Phone Sessions » happykat, posted by Dinah on December 4, 2006, at 21:57:35
Dinah,
I'm saddened to hear about your inlaws. I'm also really sorry if I stirred sad memories. :( Sometimes I ask before I think. I'm sorry.
I think you're right about the figures being alot higher if they calculated all the older folks.
Its really good that it made you closer as a family though. My heart really goes out to you and your family and all you've been through.
happykat
Posted by Dinah on December 5, 2006, at 8:33:25
In reply to Re: Phone Sessions » Dinah, posted by happykat on December 5, 2006, at 6:51:58
No, no. It's fine really. I guess I was just examining my standard answer that we were very fortunate. Which we were, really.
You didn't do anything wrong.
Posted by RN320 on December 6, 2006, at 13:30:42
In reply to Phone Sessions vs. Office Sessions, posted by happykat on December 3, 2006, at 10:13:16
Sometimes I'm too stressed to go to my therapist's office, so I've had lots of phone sessions over the years. I have to really prepare for phone sessions, because I find it really easy to be "lazy" and not bring up things that are probably important over the phone. I just don't feel like I'm under the pressure to talk when I'm not in the office with him staring at me.
I've also found it kind of difficult to read him over the phone. Sometimes when there's silence I wonder if he's playing a computer game or checking his email or if he's falling asleep because I'm being boring......I never even think about him being bored when I'm in the office.
That said, it can still be a helpful experience- at least in my opinion. I've just found it best to locate myself in one comfortable spot and have a list prepared of things that I need to talk about. Hope this helps, and that you find it productive.
/m
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